USPTO Leadership Updates | Patently-O

Longtime Commissioner of Patents Drew Hirshfeld declared currently that he ideas to depart the USPTO this summer months.  Right until that position, he will very likely serve as Performing Deputy Director to assist Kathi Vidal strike the ground running as she begins her tenure as USPTO Director.  Hirshfeld writes:

Kathi Vidal … is, with no a question, the suitable person to direct the USPTO. Not only is she hugely competent, but she has also repeatedly demonstrated me and so quite a few other individuals how thoughtful and steadfast she is in her determination to do the ideal factors for this agency and our nation’s inventors and entrepreneurs. She will be a wonderful leader. . . . I simply cannot think of a greater way to conclude my time at the company than by assisting Kathi in any way I can before a long term deputy director comes.

In this composition, Andy Faile will remain on as acting Commissioner for Patents right up until a new Commissioner is appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. 35 U.S.C. 3 (“The Secretary of Commerce shall appoint a Commissioner for Patents . . . for a time period of 5 years.”).  Dave Berdan has been serving in the role of deputy director beneath Hirshfeld.  Berdan will likely return to his job as Standard Counsel — pushing Will Covey again to his permanent role of Deputy Common Counsel and Director for the Office environment of Enrollment and Willpower (OED).