USPTO reappoints patents commissioner

US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patents commissioner Drew Hirshfield has been appointed for a second term.

Hirshfield, whose original term was due to expire this month, has been in post since 2015 and heads up all of the USPTO’s patent-related activities.

“I am pleased to reappoint Drew Hirshfeld as the commissioner for patents at the USPTO,” said secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross.

“Commissioner Hirshfeld has made great contributions toward the mission of the patents organisation, and I am confident he will continue to do so throughout his second term. The patents organisation is vital to America’s IP system, and I commend commissioner Hirshfeld’s leadership and service,” Ross added.

In his previous roles, Hirshfield served as deputy commissioner for patent examination policy, as well as chief of staff to the director of the USPTO.

He joined the USPTO in 1994 as a patent examiner and was promoted to group director in 2008.

“Commissioner Hirshfeld and his team have done an excellent job in recent years of improving patent pendency, quality and overall operations, while helping to implement significant changes to examination guidance in many areas, including patent eligibility,” said Andrei Iancu, director of the USPTO.

Iancu added: “I am confident that under his ongoing leadership, the patents organisation will continue the efforts we have recently undertaken and operate at the highest levels of excellence to meet the needs of our ever-important and ever-evolving IP system.”

In February, the USPTO appointed former  Jack Daniel’s chief trademark counsel  David Gooder as its trademarks commissioner.

Gooder succeeded Mary Boney Denison, who stood down after five years in the job.