Kappos: Make Patents More Relevant

United States Patent and Trademark Office Commissioner David Kappos said last week at a Columbia University Technology Ventures gathering that the USPTO is getting more involved in facilitating the use of IP rights for humanitarian and other social issues.

Kappos spoke for about 45 minutes as part of a monthly discussion of issues open to business, law, engineering students and faculty, as well as other members of the college community. Kappos suggested that IP rights can have a greater role in jobs creation and quality of life issues. He said the Office’s Fast Track Examination Procedure and  Green Technology Pilot Program have facilitated examinations for patent applications covering timely inventions. He cautioned about the need for these priorities to be granted fairly.

Commissioner Kappos also discussed highly critical issues such as patent examination backlogs, pendency and the need “to at least maintain the current level of patent quality” as well as improve it.

For the full video of Commissioner Kappos presentation at Columbia and audience questions, click on the image above.