USPTO opens international patent office
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has opened an office aimed at “improving the international patent system”.
Known as the Office of International Patent Cooperation (OIPC), it will be led by Mark Powell, who will serve as deputy commissioner for international patent cooperation.
The OIPC will aim to better implement the USPTO’s international patent cooperation efforts as well as provide “optimised business process solutions” to the international patent examination system for examiners and external stakeholders, according to a statement.
“The establishment of the office reflects the USPTO’s strong commitment to the IP community in improving the international patent system,” said deputy director of the USPTO Michelle Lee. “It will allow us to increase certainty of IP rights while reducing costs for our stakeholders and moving towards a harmonised patent system.”
Powell began his career at the USPTO as a patent examiner in 1986. For the past three years, he has worked on a series of assignments focusing on “international cooperative activities”.
