March 14, 2007
#07-12
Press Release, 07-12
USPTO DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY PINKOS TO LEAVE USPTO
PRESS RELEASE
Will Move to Private Role in IP Policy
Stephen M. Pinkos, deputy under secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and deputy director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), has announced that he will be leaving the USPTO at the end of March.
"My time here has been very rewarding and a tremendous opportunity to work with dedicated people who appreciate the importance of intellectual property (IP)," remarked Deputy Under Secretary Pinkos who will be moving with his family to Fort Worth, Texas . "It was difficult for me to decide to leave the USPTO before the end of President Bush's term, but this is the right time for our family."
Mr. Pinkos said he is just beginning to look at the next step of his professional career. "I'll continue to work in the area of IP policy and law. I've enjoyed working on IP issues over the last decade and I believe IP will continue to play a key role in America 's economic future."
"Steve Pinkos is a true leader in the intellectual property world who has earned the respect of Members of Congress, international IP policymakers and his colleagues at the USPTO," said Jon Dudas, under secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property. "Steve was a critical part of the team that last year achieved record low error rates, an 18 percent gain in production and the highest level of electronic filing and processing in the history of the agency. He also has been a leader in the United States ' successful efforts to increase protection of intellectual property throughout the world. On behalf of the USPTO's 8,500 dedicated employees who have made our agency the most vital intellectual property office in the world, we are grateful for Steve's dedicated service and accomplishments."
Reflecting on his time at the USPTO, Deputy Under Secretary Pinkos noted that he has never seen a government agency so focused on producing real results. "The people here have great ideas, great enthusiasm and great dedication." The expectations for the office have grown far beyond just examining patents, he emphasized, but the people here, with Under Secretary Jon Dudas at the helm, are ready to meet the challenges of the future. The USPTO had a "fantastic year in 2006 and is poised to accomplish even more," added Pinkos.
The Secretary of Commerce appointed Mr. Pinkos to the position of Deputy Under Secretary in August 2004. As a leader in intellectual property (IP) policy, he has helped develop and articulate Administration positions on all patent, copyright, and trademark issues, both domestic and foreign. He also has promoted strong IP policy globally, including strategies to thwart the theft of U.S. IP around the world. As an agency leader, he implemented policies and initiatives that provide innovators with quality and timely patent and trademark examinations. Before coming to the USPTO, Steve served as Staff Director for the House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary.
