What is the role of the Department of Agriculture in plant patent applications?
The Department of Agriculture plays a crucial role in assisting the USPTO with plant patent applications. According to 35 U.S.C. 164, the President may direct the Secretary of Agriculture to:
- Furnish available information from the Department of Agriculture
- Conduct research on special problems through appropriate bureaus or divisions
- Detail officers and employees to the USPTO Director
This collaboration is further detailed in Executive Order No. 5464, which states:
“I, Herbert Hoover, President of the United States of America, […] do hereby direct the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) to furnish the Commissioner of Patents such available information of the Department of Agriculture, or (2) to conduct through the appropriate bureau or division of the department such research upon special problems, or (3) to detail to the Commissioner of Patents such officers and employees of the department, as the Commissioner may request for the purpose of carrying said act into effect.”
This order facilitates the consideration of plant patent applications by leveraging the expertise of the Department of Agriculture.
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