Satellite patent office opens in Detroit

7/14/2012
BLADE STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES
Acting United States Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank smiles at a news conference for the opening of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's first satellite location in Detroit, Friday. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's first satellite location outside of Washington, D.C., is expected to help entrepreneurs in Michigan get patent approvals more quickly.
Acting United States Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank smiles at a news conference for the opening of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's first satellite location in Detroit, Friday. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's first satellite location outside of Washington, D.C., is expected to help entrepreneurs in Michigan get patent approvals more quickly.

DETROIT -- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's first satellite location outside Washington opened Friday in Detroit's Stroh River Place building.

The first of 120 employees are to begin work Monday.

The agency also plans satellite offices in Dallas, Denver, and the Silicon Valley area of California.