Patent office prepares to open Detroit location

DETROIT (AP) -- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is preparing to open a satellite location in Detroit. A ribbon cutting is planned for Friday for the office, with acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank in attendance. The Detroit location is the office's first such facility outside Washington, D.C. The federal government is planning satellite offices in some other states. The Detroit office at the Stroh River Place building will occupy space previously filled by a regional office of the U.S. Census Bureau. The government says the aim is to streamline the patent filing process and encourage innovation by Detroit-area businesses. Published: Thu, Jul 12, 2012