Kathi Vidal was nominated as the next USPTO Director

President Biden has recently nominated a leading patent litigator named Kathi Vidal as the next USPTO Director. Vidal is currently working at Winston & Strawn and she is also leading the company’s Silicon Valley office. She had a previous association with Fish & Richardson.

Vidal is the best candidate for the post of USPTO Director.  She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering; JD from Penn (EIC of the law review); Federal Circuit clerkship (Judge Schall); Registered Patent Attorney; and litigated patent cases in courts across the country, including the PTAB.  She started college at the age of 16 years. She also has a record of representing Chamberlain whose garage door opener patents were wiped out by the eligibility revolution of Bilski–Mayo-and-Alice.  At the same time, Vidal has represented several accused infringers in unique cases. Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) released the following statement a few days back on President Joe Biden nominating Kathi Vidal as Undersecretary for Intellectual Property & Director of the U.S. Patent & Trade Office:

 “I want to congratulate Kathi Vidal for her nomination to Undersecretary for Intellectual Property & Director of the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. With a background in mathematical physics, programming and a degree in electrical engineering — and careers in engineering and patent litigation — Kathi will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to this critical position. Congratulations to President Biden for nominating such an accomplished, experienced, and well-balanced professional to this key post, and I look forward to working with her to ensure a strong United States patent system that promotes job creation, economic competitiveness and protects national security.”

Hank Johnson is Chairman not only of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts but also Intellectual Property & the Internet. This is undoubtedly a great pick. We are certainly confident that she will prove herself as an amazing leader of the agency. The Senate is yet to confirm this appointment, but nothing can be foreseen holding up for this candidate.