USPTO names deputy director
The former deputy general counsel of a Silicon Valley-based company has been appointed as deputy director of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross yesterday announced the appointment of Laura Peter as deputy under secretary of commerce for IP and deputy director of the USPTO, effective November 13.
Most recently, Peter served as deputy general counsel of A10 Networks, a company specialising in the manufacturing of application delivery controllers. At A10, she provided counsel on global legal matters, including commercial transactions, IP, licences, litigation, and regulatory compliance.
Ross said: “Laura Peter brings a breadth of experience and a deep understanding of IP issues to her new role.”
He added that Peter would be an asset to the administration as it looks to increase reliability and balance in the IP system, as well as providing more predictability.
Peter has also previously served as vice president and general counsel of Immersion Corporation, a developer and licensor of touch feedback technology.
Andrei Iancu, director of the USPTO, said he was thrilled that Peter would join the office.
He added: “Her thoughtfulness, business sense, and keen understanding of the important role IP plays in today’s economy will be extremely valuable to the USPTO and the IP community.”
She began her career as a commercial and IP litigator at Townsend, Townsend and Crew (now Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton).
Peter said she was honoured to be chosen as deputy director at a time when IP matters are at the “forefront of national and international affairs”.
She concluded: “I look forward to working with director Iancu and the nearly 13,000 employees of the USPTO to protect and improve our IP system, which is a crown jewel in the American economy.”
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