IP Organizations Urge Congress to Extend USPTO Fee-Setting Authority and Restore Advisory Committee Operations
Written September 28, 2026
Alexandria, VA. September 28, 2026 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO), and International Trademark Association (INTA) urge the Senate IP Subcommittee to support an extension of the USPTO's fee-setting authority under Section 10 of the America Invents Act and to ensure vacancies on the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees are filled promptly. The organizations argue that fee-setting authority is critical to the USPTO's ability to fund operations and modernize its systems, while fully staffed advisory committees are essential for stakeholder engagement, transparency, and oversight of the agency.