Kathi Vidal Confirmed To Lead USPTO, Taking Over Amidst Big IP Policy Debates

Director Tracy-Gene G. Durkin was quoted in the article article “Kathi Vidal Confirmed To Lead USPTO, Taking Over Amidst Big IP Policy Debates,” published by IAM. Durkin, Vice Chair of the Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), provided the following viewpoint on the newly confirmed Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO Kathi Vidal’s priorities:

“Drew Hirshfeld (who has been performing the functions and duties of the undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the USPTO) has done an excellent job for the past 16 months, but there are many important policy issues that are outstanding. One such issue is the interpretation of the article of manufacture requirement in section 171 of Title 35 of the United States Code and whether it should be revised to protect digital designs that encompass new and emerging technologies. The office solicited public comments in December 2020, but has yet to provide any substantive commentary on this issue since. We look forward to the new agency director addressing this and other outstanding policy reviews that impact industry and innovation. There is a lot for Director Vidal to tackle, and we’re confident great progress will be made with the depth of experience and leadership she brings to the office.”