			    OFFICIAL GAZETTE of the
		   UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
			        
December 7, 1999              Volume 1229  	               Number 1




This week, with only a few days before the dawn of the next century, we are 
delighted to commemorate yet another historic occasion in the American 
patent system: the issuance of Patent No. 6,000,000.

In marking this occasion, we celebrate the critical role of the inventive 
process in the U.S. economy and the extraordinary value of our Nation's 
intellectual property. Indeed, our Nation is currently enjoying the longest 
peacetime economic expansion in history - an expansion credited in large 
part to enhanced competition generated by new technologies.  In fact, 
industries that produce and manage "knowledge" have replaced capital and 
machinery - intensive industries as the primary source of our economic 
growth.

The 20th century has witnessed an unprecedented period of invention and 
innovation, and we are currently experiencing arguably the greatest period 
of invention ever. Technologies that were unknown to us in 1900 are now 
commonplace and routine. Aeronautics, computers, polymers, biotechnology 
and the Internet are just some of those that come to mind.  Moreover, since 
the issuance of Patent No. 5,000,000 in 1991, the time between these 
particular milestones has been cut nearly in half. 

Our Nation's technological prowess and high standard of living all stem 
from the creativity, determination, and entrepreneurial drive of inventors 
such as the recipient of Patent No. 6,000,000.  Clearly, economic vitality 
and effective intellectual property protection are inextricably linked.

Patent No. 6,000,000 is a superb testament to the increasing value of 
electronic commerce and intellectual property in our new digital economy.  
I commend it to your attention in this issue of the Official Gazette.


Q. TODD DICKINSON
Assistant Secretary of Commerce and
Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks

