Patent Protection Among Issues Raised at Second Lee, Marti PTO Nomination Hearing

Patent protection was among issues raised at Wednesday's confirmation hearing for Michelle Lee as Patent and Trademark Office director and for Daniel Marti for White House intellectual property enforcement coordinator. This was the Senate Judiciary Committee's second hearing for the two nominees, who were questioned a few weeks ago in the last Congress and again this week to allow new legislators to ask nominees questions (see 1412100031). Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Chris Coons, D-Del., said most politicians agree it is important that inventors can profit from their inventions and that trade secrets be protected. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., asked Lee how the PTO is adjusting following a 2014 Supreme Court ruling on infringement lawsuits. Lee said she was unable to respond because the agency is still examining the rulings.