Vidal Pushes for Design Patent Bar, More Diversity at IP Agency

The US Patent and Trademark Office is exploring ways to increase opportunities to practice before the agency, including creation of a design patent bar, Director Kathi Vidal said in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg Law.

The proposals under consideration are aimed at ensuring that “everybody has an opportunity to participate in the innovation ecosystem to make sure that we’re not creating unnecessary barriers to practice before the USPTO,” Vidal said.

The patent office will seek input on its plans to update scientific and technical requirements for patent practitioners, as well as to expand opportunities to appear before an administrative tribunal ...