Michelle Lee to stay on as USPTO chief

Michelle Lee, director at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), will reportedly remain in her role under the Donald Trump administration.

Despite speculation that Lee would step down or be replaced after Trump took the US presidency, the former Google lawyer is expected to retain her role, according to sources speaking to  The Hill and  Politico.

Lee was appointed in 2015 when the US Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to make her director.

Before this, she served as the USPTO’s deputy under secretary of commerce for intellectual property, and deputy director.

According to Politico, Representative Darrell Issa informed tech industry organisations gathered in Washington on Thursday, January 19, of the news.

Issa’s comments were confirmed by two Politico sources in attendance and a congressional aide.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), an organisation of which Amazon, Google, Facebook and Microsoft are members, welcomed the news.

“This is a wise decision, bringing continuity to critical issues at a critical time,” said Ed Black, president and CEO of CCIA.

He added: “It supports the patent office’s ongoing efforts to improve patent quality under Lee’s leadership. Lee comes from the tech industry and has a deep understanding of patents and how to support both current innovators and next-generation innovation.”

Matt Levy, CCIA patent counsel, said: “Lee has started a number of programmes to enhance patent quality, and it’s important that those programmes be allowed to continue. With director Lee continuing on, those programmes will have the chance to produce real improvements in the patents the USPTO issues.”

Paul Fucito, press secretary at the USPTO, declined to comment.

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