Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,
On The Designation Of David J. Kappos
To Be Undersecretary Of Commerce For Intellectual Property
And Director Of The U.S. Patent And Trademark Office
June 18, 2009

“I am pleased that the President has announced his intent nominate David J. Kappos to be the Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. 

“His experience both as a development engineer and as a leading intellectual property attorney make Mr. Kappos exceptionally qualified to lead the Patent and Trademark Office.  While serving as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at IBM, Mr. Kappos has managed IBM’s vast patent and trademark portfolios.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Intellectual Property Owners Association, and the International Intellectual Property Society. 

“The USPTO faces serious challenges in this difficult economic environment, and the office requires strong leadership.  David Kappos is such a leader.  I look forward to working with him on issues confronting the USPTO, including reducing the backlog and pendency of patent applications and modernizing the patent system as Congress considers the Patent Reform Act.”

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