Office of the Commissioner for Patents
Office of the Deputy Commissioner
The Deputy Commissioner for Patents provides administrative oversight to nine Patent Technology Centers and coordinates the activities of the examination of applications for patents. Responsible for all patent-examining functions in the Technology Centers and all operational aspects of patent application, initial examination, patent publications, and international applications processing. The Deputy Commissioner for Patents leads more than 6,800 highly skilled scientists and engineers.
This office is comprised of Patent Technology Centers and the Office of Patent Publication.
The Deputy Commissioner for Patents is Andrew Faile.
Office of Patent Examination Policy
The Associate Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy provides staff assistance in establishing patent examination and documentation policy standards for the Commissioner for Patents and is the authority on patent laws, rules, and examining practice and procedure. This office also provides direction on establishment of new rules, practices and procedures; reviews and revises the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. The Associate Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy is the deciding official for petitions on patent matters delegated by the Under Secretary and Director, for ordering Under Secretary and Director ordered re-examinations, for Patent Quality Review appeals to the Commissioner for Patents, for requests for reconsideration of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences decisions. This office is also responsible for the review of actions by the Patent Quality Review and also provides support, representation, advice and direction on technical matters relating to the International Patent Classification (IPC) System, and other international documentation-related standards.
This office is made up of the Office of Patent Legal Administration, the Office of Petitions and the Office of Patent Cooperation Treaty Legal Administration, and the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) Staff.
The Associate Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy is Janet Gongola.
Office of Patent Resources and Planning
The Associate Commissioner for Patent Resources and Planning provides representation and direction on strategic outreach and planning for the Commissioner for Patents and directs all operational aspects of patent application initial examination, patent publications, and international PCT applications processing.
This office is comprised of the two offices: the Office of Patent Planning and Capacity Analysis and the Office of Patent Resource Administration.
The Associate Commissioner for Patent Resources and Planning is Bo Bounkong.
Office of Patent Information Management
The Associate Commissioner for Patent Information Management provides direction and oversight to facilitate the development and implementation of patent technology systems and information resources designed to foster greater efficiency and quality throughout the patent examination process. The Office also supports the Intellectual Property community with integrated technology tools and programs designed to improve patent business operations and enhance eGovernment capabilities.
This office is comprised of five offices: the Office of Patent Classification, the Scientific and Technical Information Center, the Office of Data Management, the Office of Patent Automation and the Office of Patent Processing Services.
The Associate Commissioner for Patent Information Management is Frederick R. Schmidt.
Office of Innovation Development
The Associate Commissioner for Innovation Development oversees the USPTO’s efforts to assist independent, small entity and university affiliated inventors. The office also works closely with other officials and agencies throughout the government in support of the Administrations efforts to promote small business, entrepreneurship and job creation. The Innovation Development office designs and implements outreach programs to a wide range of groups including women, minorities and other under served communities.
The office also assists the agency’s educational outreach programs that promote intellectual property protection and the valuable role it plays as a key driver of the American economy.
The Associate Commissioner for Innovation Development is Richard Maulsby.
