Obama: boon or doom for IP? (full version)
10 November 2008
Eileen McDermott, New York
As the US welcomed president-elect Barack Obama to the White House last week, the IP community already had begun to speculate about what his views might mean for innovation, as well as whom he will appoint to the key posts of USPTO director and IP coordinator
Having run what some have referred to as the first true 21st Century campaign - by employing tools such as the internet and text messaging to rally supporters - Obama has been heralded as a comparatively progressive candidate who is keen on the importance of technology and innovation.
But whether or not that translates to a true understanding of stakeholders' concerns has yet to be seen. For many, this question will be answered in large part by the president-elect's choice for the critical post of USPTO director and undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property.
While George W Bush-appointed USPTO director Jon Dudas managed to achieve some impressive goals during his term, such as full funding for the Office from Congress and big increases in examiner hiring, his relationship with the IP community has been strained at best, and many criticised his lack of an IP background.
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