I haven’t seen any of the other patent blogs or patent-related email lists mention it so this may be the under-reported patent story of the week.

Regardless, given the audience of this blog is very tech-savvy, I wanted to bring it to your attention.  In the USPTO’s own words:

The USPTO is developing a Continuing Education for Practitioners (“CEP”) system for on-line delivery of educational materials to patent practitioners, and is seeking help in piloting the on-line system. The CEP system is built on the recognition that a smoothly operating patent system requires well-qualified USPTO personnel working hand-in-hand with up-to-date patent practitioners. The goal is to increase efficiency, reduce pendency, and improve quality in the patent process.

Full details and instructions for participating are available at: http://www.uspto.gov/main/homepagenews/2008aug18.htm

Yours truly has already emailed OEDonline@uspto.gov to volunteer to participate in the pilot test.  Have you?