US Federal Trade Commission is Closed for Business

On Friday last week, the IPKat reported here on an announcement from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it is seeking public comment on a proposed investigation of Patent Assertion Entities.  However, the IPKat must now report that this public comment opportunity is on hold until the US government shut down ends.  Visitors to the FTC website will be greeted with the following message:  

Unfortunately, the Federal Trade Commission is closed due to the government shutdown.

• The FTC Premerger Notification Office will be open to accept HSR filings.
• Consumers may file FOlA requests, but they will not be processed.
• Consumers cannot file complaints or register for Do Not Call.
• All public workshops, roundtables, hearings and conferences are postponed until further notice.
• We hope to be open soon.

In contrast, the IPKat notes that, as reported by Bertrand, the USPTO remains open for the time being, and readers may continue to email the USPTO their opinions on the effect of technology evolution on trademarks, previously reported here.