In terms of what happened in the prior administration, I know that there were policies set forth, including on 101, on patent eligibility. Vidal acknowledged the widely touted reforms implemented by former USPTO Director Andrei Iancu on patent eligibility guidance for examiners and said that she would continue Iancu’s focus in this area. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) began the questioning of Vidal by asking her what she sees as the biggest issues with the current patent system, and specifically, which policies of previous patent office administrations she would keep in place and which she would change?
innovation 2) to further strengthen the patent and trademark system by improving patent quality and the integrity of the trademark register and 3) to maintain the United States as an innovation world leader by engaging with all stakeholders, Congress, the Commerce Departments, other government agencies and international allies.
“We can build more predictability so that inventors, creators and investors will have more confidence.” Vidal added that she will be guided by three principles if confirmed: 1) to work in the best interests of the United States and to advance U.S. “I come here prepared for the challenges we face,” Vidal said in her introduction. While much of the questioning was focused on the judges-particularly the nominee for United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, Dale Ho, who came under fire for some allegedly partisan tweets he made-Vidal was questioned by a number of senators, with Tillis and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) reserving all of their questions for her. Vidal was part of a panel of five, with the other four nominees being judicial candidates. While neither nominee made any particularly earth shattering statements, as is often the case in such hearings, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), a vocal IP advocate, said he was heartened by Vidal’s acknowledgement that it has become “very difficult to understand the contours of law.” Vidal also stated that the current USPTO guidelines on eligibility, which were revised by former USPTO Director Andrei Iancu to provide more clarity, are consistent with the law right now. IPWatchdog has previously reported on the qualifications of both candidates and what their appointments might mean for IP law and practice going forward. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) and Katherine Vidal, the nominee for Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Today, the full Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to question two key IP nominees: Judge Leonard Stark of the of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, who was nominated to replace Judge Kathleen O’Malley on the U.S. I think that’s an area that’s always deserving of attention because the law is not set…so that is something I would certainly always revisit to make sure that any guidelines are consistent with the law-they are right now-and that they’re promoting innovation.” – Kathi Vidal “I know that there were policies set forth, including on 101, on patent eligibility.