The Senate today confirmed the appointment of IBM's David Kappos to the position of Director, USPTO. It is likely that Mr. Kappos will overhaul aspects of the USPTO's practice.
Judiciary Committee Chairperson Committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) issued a statement that he looks forward to working with the new Director on patent reform.
See prior blog entries on Kappos' signals and IPReview article.
David Kappos, IBM's assistant general counsel for intellectual property, has just been nominated to be the new Commissioner of the Patent and Trademark Office. PatentlyO called it right last month.
Mr. Kappos has testified recently before Congress on patent reform legislation, though that was on behalf of IBM. Whether or not those are truly his views or he was simply giving the opinions of IBM, we will soon find out if he is confirmed. In his testimony, he mentions enhanced inter partes reexamination, enhanced third party submission of prior art, and "first window" post grant review. These reforms will go a long way to improving the validity and quality of patents issued from the patent office.
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