Under first-to-file, an inventor who does not take prompt action to protect his or her invention faces a higher risk that a later inventor will end up holding the associated U.S. patent rights.

FORBES: March 16, 2013: The United States Transitions To A 'First-Inventor-To-File' Patent System

The shortage of officers and the department's limited hours led to an incident in August that helped prompt state legislators to take action, CNN affiliate KOBI reported.

CNN: 911 calls go unanswered in some Oregon counties