What conflict-of-interest laws apply to USPTO employees regarding patent matters?

USPTO employees are subject to various conflict-of-interest laws and regulations regarding patent matters. MPEP 1702 references several important statutes and regulations:

• 18 U.S.C. 203 and 18 U.S.C. 205: These statutes prohibit government employees from prosecuting or aiding in the prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO.
• 5 CFR Chapter XVI: Regulations promulgated by the Office of Government Ethics that govern employee conduct.
• 37 CFR 11.111: This regulation addresses the ethical responsibilities of government employees practicing before the USPTO.

These laws and regulations are designed to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure the integrity of the patent examination process. USPTO employees should be aware of these restrictions and consult with ethics officials if they have questions about specific situations.

To learn more:

• USPTO employees
• conflict of interest
• ethics regulations
• patent prosecution