Denver, Dallas, California to get patent offices

DENVER (AP) -- The federal government plans to open new satellite patent offices in Denver, Dallas and California's Silicon Valley. The U.S. Commerce Department announced the locations Monday as part of a plan to reduce the backlog of patents waiting for approval at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Va. The aim is to get more inventions to market quickly and spur job creation. U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Bland and patent office director David Kappos plan to visit the selected communities next week to meet with business leaders and public officials. Congress passed a law last year requiring that at least three new offices open in satellite locations around the country by 2014. The Commerce Department previously announced plans to open its first satellite office in Detroit. It will begin operating July 13. Published: Thu, Jul 5, 2012