USPTO Director Squires Postpones Controversial Anniversary Gala Amid Ethics Scrutiny

Key points

• Squires postponed the September 29 anniversary event via a message from a personal Gmail account, offering no new date.
• The event included a private screening of 'Moneyball' at the Motion Picture Association headquarters, with remarks by Squires.
• The National Inventors Hall of Fame, which receives funding from the USPTO, is reportedly paying for the event.
• Critics question the use of a personal email for official communications and the involvement of entities with business before the USPTO.
• Squires has not responded to detailed questions from Bloomberg Law regarding the event's funding and ethical implications.

Background

This controversy follows a pattern of ethical concerns surrounding USPTO leadership, including previous issues with trademark applications and advisory committee dismissals. The use of personal email accounts for official business has raised questions about record-keeping and transparency, similar to past controversies involving other government officials. The USPTO has historically used official email addresses for events, making the use of a personal Gmail account unusual.

How outlets are covering it

IPWatchdog, led by Gene Quinn, emphasizes the ethical and legal questions surrounding the event, particularly the use of a personal Gmail account and the lack of transparency regarding funding and planning. Quinn argues that the event blurs the line between personal and official business and calls for a FOIA request. Bloomberg Law highlights the involvement of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, which receives funding from the USPTO, and the potential conflict of interest. A person familiar with the event's planning disputes the claim that the Motion Picture Association donated the venue or film, stating that standard rates were charged. Squires himself has not addressed the ethical concerns, instead challenging Quinn's reporting on LinkedIn.

Why it matters

The controversy raises significant questions about the ethical standards and transparency of USPTO leadership. The use of personal email accounts for official communications and the involvement of entities with business before the agency could undermine public trust and raise concerns about conflicts of interest. The potential for FOIA requests and further scrutiny could have broader implications for how government agencies handle official events and communications.

What to watch

Squires is expected to testify before a Senate oversight committee shortly after the postponed event. IPWatchdog plans to file a FOIA request to obtain records related to the event. The USPTO may need to clarify whether the event is official or personal and how records are being preserved. Further scrutiny from the public and media may follow, potentially leading to more questions about the ethical standards of USPTO leadership.