Plans For Detroit Patent Office Shelved

DETROIT (WWJ) - Federal budget cuts are forcing plans for a patent office in Detroit to be scrapped. 

 The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director outlined a number of cuts as a result of cutting 85 to 100-million dollars in operation spending this year. 

The letter from the director said the opening of the Detroit satellite office is indefinitely postponed.  The office was to employ about 100 people. 

Other cutbacks include a hiring freeze, no overtime for current workers, and reductions in travel and other expenses.