Bob Stoll Quoted in Managing Intellectual Property

Washington, D.C. partner Bob Stoll was quoted in a recent Managing Intellectual Property article, titled, “USPTO Telework Allegations Blasted by Former Officials.”  The article discussed allegations of abuse of the USPTO’s telework program by employees. According to reports by the Washington Times and Washington Post, many employees have been lying about their work hours and conducting personal business on company time while using the USPTO’s work-from-home “telework” program. These allegations have led to an investigation being conducted by House Oversight and Government Reform Chair Darrell Issa.

As former commissioner for patents at the USPTO, Bob disagreed with the charges against the agency and called them “anecdotal.” He cited a 2012 Inspector General report that said the program is very beneficial.

“I think the report in February of 2012 actually stated that the production and quality coming out of the work-at-home employees was superior to that of the people at the office itself, in that they did not have to waste time on travel,” Bob said.