Secretary of Commerce Dismisses USPTO Advisory Committees

Last week, in an extraordinary action, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick removed the Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) and the Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC). It was announced that these removals would take place right away and that new members would be appointed to replace them.

Adherence to United States Code Title 35  (35 U.S.C. 5) requires vacancies be filled within 90 days of a member’s departure, with the new member serving the remainder of the predecessor’s term. The May 2025 public committee meeting is still expected to proceed as scheduled.

The US Patent and Trademark Office has already publicized their search to fill the 18 vacancies on PPAC and TPAC and expect to appoint the new members in May of this year. You can read more about the nomination or apply to serve here. If you are interested in serving at the pleasure of the Secretary of Commerce, you’ll need to submit your application within the next six days, as they are due by 5:00 PM (EST) on March 31, 2025.

At this time, we do not believe this will impact any day-to-day service from the USPTO. The intellectual property attorneys at Renner Otto will continue to monitor this and other USPTO related news as it develops. Feel free to contact us for more information.