Robert Clarke currently serves as an acting Deputy Commissioner for Patents. In this role, Mr. Clarke provides executive oversight for the divisions in the Office of International Patent Cooperation, which lead Patents’ efforts related to international IP cooperation, harmonization, and outreach, and TCs 2600 and 3700, which respectively handle the examination of patent applications related to the technologies of communication and the technologies of mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and medical devices and processes. Prior to this acting role, Mr. Clarke served as the Director of the Office of l Patent Legal Administration, where he provided executive leadership over legal and technical matters relating to drafting regulations and developing practices for the examination of patent applications, updating the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, as well as assisting in the implementation of these new regulations and practices. Mr. Clarke also supported post grant instruments such as reexamination proceedings and reissue applications, and provided oversight of applications for patent term extension and patent term adjustment.
Throughout his career, Mr. Clarke has served in multiple other roles, including as the Chief of Staff of the USPTO, the Editor of the MPEP and an Administrative Patent Judge. He has also served on a career development detail with what is now the Office of International Legal Administration. Mr. Clarke started his career in the USPTO in April of 1990 as a patent examiner in what is now TC 3700.