PTO 'Well Situated' to Address IP Challenges Headed Into Trump Administration, Director Says

Patent and Trademark Office Director Michelle Lee said she’s “optimistic” the incoming administration “will share our appreciation of the importance of IP.” President-elect Donald Trump “has promised economic growth and job creation, and IP will necessarily be key to achieving that goal,” Lee said during Friday's speech at CES, according to prepared remarks. PTO is “well situated to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead” given its accomplishments over the past three years, she said. Lee noted PTO has reduced the backlog of unexamined patent applications by approximately 30 percent. The office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board proceedings aided in “providing a faster, more cost efficient quality check on the patents in the system,” Lee said. PTO’s Enhanced Patent Quality Initiative is continuing work that will “meaningfully move the needle on enhancing patent quality,” including increasing the clarity of the patent record, Lee said.