An article just now in The Guardian says:
In a memo seen by the Guardian, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced a “reduction in force” (RIF) program of layoffs at the agency on Wednesday, the first reported agency to do so.
“Approximately one percent of the USPTO workforce will be affected by this RIF,” wrote Valencia Martin Wallace, acting commissioner for the USPTO, wrote to employees at the agency. The USPTO did not respond to a request for comment
Well apparently it is more like 50%, not 1%. I was told by an employee in the USPTOs Certified Copy Center that they are so bare bones, they are barely keeping their departments open. I ordered certified priority documents for foreign filings with 7-10 day processing over 2 months ago, and still processing. I just got an NOA from an examiner that I expected from June. 3+ years for examinations now?????????