Sorting out a $2 billion patent challenge tainted with sabotage claims and shaping director review of administrative patent tribunal decisions will likely be at the top of the new U.S. Patent and Trademark Office director’s to-do list, attorneys said.
The Senate’s April 5 confirmation of Winston & Strawn partner Kathi Vidal means the agency can finally make movement on pressing policy issues that have been in limbo while the leadership post remained vacant for more than a year, lawyers said. Drew Hirshfeld—who performed the duties of the director while Vidal’s nomination was pending—maintained the status quo at the office.
Attorneys ...