Comment on FR Doc # 2012-01480

Dear Sir / Madam, I am writing to state my disagreement with the proposed rule RIN 0651-AC69, Docket No. PTO-P-2011-0075 on the amendment to practices concerning supplemental examination provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, and to adjust the associated fees. I believe that these proposed fee adjustments represent an exorbitant burden that is placed on the inventors seeking patents, and prove to be a large barrier to entry into any marketplace, thus defeating the purpose of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. The proposed fees for fiscal year 13 of $5,180 for supplemental patent examinations, and $16,116 for ex parte supplemental patent examinations, are outrageous. Though this proposed rule only represents a small increase in these fees, the fees themselves are completely ridiculous. The Patent and Trademark Office, as an arm of the United States Federal Government, has a responsibility to protect the rights and freedoms of the citizens of the United States. By levying astronomical costs on individuals seeking patent reexaminations, the Federal Government is effectively denying certain citizens the right to their intellectual property, and any profit that it may bring in the future. I believe that the reexamination fees should be kept equal to the fees for initial examination of patent documents, and be kept equal with the cost of examining these documents. There should be no profit made in this endeavor, and the only goal of the Patent and Trademark Office should be to document and protect the intellectual property of its applications, the United States citizens. Thank you for your time.