Rea outlines USPTO future after Kappos

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Rea outlines USPTO future after Kappos

Following the departure of USPTO director David Kappos on Friday, the organisation will continue efforts to improve consistency internally and between patent offices around the world, said acting director Teresa Stanek Rea on Saturday

USPTO acting director, Teresa Stanek Rea

“While perfect harmonisation is not achievable, we are going to keep chipping away little by little,” said Rea. “We are trying to gain efficiencies for businesses so that people will file more patent applications with us - and that’s our end-game goal.”

Rea was addressing attendees at AIPLA’s Mid-Winter Institute conference in Tampa on Saturday. Quoting leaders from the 2011 USPTO-hosted Asia-Pacific Cooperation in the 21st Century Forum, she said: “The time for substantive harmonisation is now.”

In an effort to improve patent examination standards around the world, the USPTO has introduced what Rae described as a “train the trainers” programme. Under the scheme, senior examiners from the USPTO coach examiners from developing nations, who then pass on the knowledge they have gained to colleagues in their home countries.

Rea said the USPTO is also working with economists to quantify the financial benefits of a strong IP system to a country’s economy.

She told attendees that, subject to budgetary approval, the Office hopes to hire an additional 1,000 patent examiners this year, which will help to decrease the backlog of applications. The backlog was reduced by 20% under Kappos, despite an average increase in patent applications of 5% per year.

Rea described Kappos as a “true visionary” who made “dramatic changes” to the patent office.

“He made the USPTO a model for the 21st Century – an efficient and customer-friendly organisation,” she said.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Sources explain why return-to-office mandates could hamper efficiency at the USPTO
The Unified Patent Court surpassing 700 cases and a row between Apple and PanOptis were among the top talking points this week
Partners at four firms explain how they help clients join in the hype around the big game without attracting the NFL’s wrath
We discuss how law firms are using AI, whether remote working has resulted in cost-savings, and what corporate counsel want from their advisers when it comes to DEI
Matthew Yeates, managing director at Integrated IP, discusses its acquisition of Clark IP and reveals further expansion plans
Paul Lee discusses moving from venture capital to IP, why lawyers are becoming more receptive to tech, and why he starts his day with a cold plunge
Barbara Lawton, a counsellor and mental health trainer at wellbeing charity Jonathan’s Voice, outlines tips for engaging with vulnerable people
New partner Amir Ghavi, who will help launch the group, says he expects more lateral hires in the coming weeks
Counsel at three firms reveal the tools they’re using to generate patent invalidity claim charts and why they’re making investments in the technology
Eric Lee says the firm’s thought leadership on artificial intelligence convinced him to move
Gift this article