News

On Monday, March 9, 2015, The U.S. Senate approved the appointment of Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director Michelle Lee as the director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), making her the first woman to lead the agency. In January 2014, Michelle Lee was named deputy director of the USPTO and since that time, has led the agency in an acting capacity before being officially nominated to serve as director in October. The director's position has been vacant since David Kappos stepped down in February 2013.