The Future of the USPTO: Workforce Disruptions, Policy Shifts, and the Growing Backlog

Holding a patent is not merely a legal formality—it is a strategic asset that significantly enhances a company’s ability to secure funding and drive growth.all begins with an idea. While the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) faces unprecedented uncertainty as conflicting mandates on telework, hiring freezes, and return-to-office requirements disrupt operations, patent holders should expect more delays in patent prosecution as the USPTO backlog increases.