By Emmanuel Oluebube, Correspondent UK
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Monday announced that Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has reappointed Commissioner for Patents Drew Hirshfeld for a second five-year term. Commissioner Hirshfeld’s original term was set to expire this July.
“I am pleased to reappoint Drew Hirshfeld as the Commissioner for Patents at the United States Patent and Trademark Office,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Commissioner Hirshfeld has made great contributions toward the mission of the Patents organization, and I am confident he will continue to do so throughout his second term. The Patents organization is vital to America’s intellectual property system, and I commend Commissioner Hirshfeld’s leadership and service.”
“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 Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the USPTO, Andrei Iancu. “I am confident that under his ongoing leadership, the Patents organization 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 intellectual property system.”
“I am deeply honored that Secretary Ross and Director Iancu have given me the opportunity to remain of service to our almost 10,000 patents employees, to our inventor community, and to the public,” said Commissioner Hirshfeld. “My mission is to constantly adapt and improve the way the Patents organization operates to ensure that we provide the best customer service possible. I look forward to continuing to work with our leadership team to ensure that we meet our goals each year.”
Prior to serving as Commissioner for Patents, Hirshfeld held the positions of Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy and Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. Hirshfeld began his career in 1994 as a Patent Examiner, became a Supervisory Patent Examiner in 2001, and was promoted in 2008 to Group Director in Technology Center 2100.
Hirshfeld received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Vermont, and a J.D. from Western New England College School of Law.