FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Today, the White House announced President Biden’s intent to nominate Katherine (“Kathi”) Vidal to serve as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. Chris Israel, Executive Director of the Alliance of U.S. Startups and Inventors for Jobs (USIJ), issued the following statement:

“USIJ congratulates Kathi Vidal for her nomination to serve as Under Secretary for Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director. As one of the leading intellectual property lawyers in the country, she is eminently qualified to lead the USPTO at this critical time. 

Ms. Vidal brings her vast experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants, including Fortune 100 companies and start-ups, in U.S. district courts, and before the International Trade Commission and the USPTO. She is also a dynamic leader who has worked to create more diversity in the legal community and within the technology sector.   

USIJ looks forward to working with Ms. Vidal on the many critical issues impacting the U.S. patent system and urges the Senate to act quickly to confirm her to this critical post.”