Serco Processes 2 Millionth Patent Application for U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Serco Inc., a leading provider of professional, technology, and management services to the federal government, announced today that their Pre-Grant Publication (PGPubs) Classification Services team recently processed their 2 millionth patent application for the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO).  Each application was also processed within the contractually required 28-day window.   

USPTO is the government agency that grants U.S. patents and registers trademarks.  In 2006 Serco was awarded the contract with USPTO to manage their Pre-Grant Publication (PGPubs) Classification Services.  Serco's PGPubs team has since been responsible for analyzing the claims made in patent applications and assigning the appropriate U.S. and international classifications to key aspects of proposed inventions. 

In a single day, Serco's PGPubs Patent Classifiers process approximately 1,450 patent applications by analyzing more than 21,800 patent claims and assigning more than 7,900 U.S. and international classifications while exceeding quality goals with a better than 97% accuracy rate.  The Serco team has received multiple awards from the government for greatly exceeding quality standards. 

The Serco PGPubs team has also been extremely innovative in responding to USPTO's challenges by implementing new methods and systems for better business processes.  Since 2006 the team has built a virtually paperless classification operation.  The operation includes a secure facility with IT infrastructure, procedures for recruiting and training highly skilled staff, and implementation of a set of automated tools that streamlined the classification process while minimizing errors.  The facility is located in Harrisonburg, VA and the project now employs 135 people.   

In honour of the 2 millionth patent being processed, U.S. Congressman Bob Goodlatte personally visited the facility and congratulated Serco's PGPubs team for their support.  "America is the world leader in innovation and creativity," said Congressman Goodlatte.  "The strength of our economy and American jobs rely on our ability to protect new inventions through the patent system and build on innovation in the 21st century.  Congratulations to Serco's PGPubs team on achieving this milestone and helping to make America more competitive."

"The work that our team does at USPTO directly helps build the U.S. economy's strength and vitality by protecting new ideas and investments in innovation and creativity," said Mike Plymack, Senior Vice President of Serco's Federal Civilian Services Group.  "Serco's PGPubs team has done an outstanding job supporting USPTO.  This is a great example of how Serco has been able to help our clients improve outcomes and reduce costs through smart application of technology and process improvements."

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