How accurate was the investigation that the inspector general conducted about the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)? The Washington Post states that employees of the USPTO billed taxpayers at least $18.3 million over the estimated actual cost of time worked.[1]
This information portrayed appears to not be fully accurate. The payment system set-up between Congress and the USPTO, is that all revenue for the USPTO are raised from fees the USPTO collects when patent or trademark applications are filed with the office.[2] The USPTO then deducts from the total revenue earned the amount needed to pay employees, utilities, etc. and the remainder is given back to Congress to be deposited into the US Treasury.[3]
It appears that the Washington Post intended to convey the message that the employees of the USPTO were overcompensated for their work, and in turn, did not return enough money to the US Treasury; as opposed to “billing” taxpayers as the article states.