Celebrating 25 years of USPTO’s Public Advisory Committees

More Americans sought to protect their inventions and brands than ever before. In the 1990s, the USPTO saw an exponential increase in both patent and trademark applications, the beginnings of a trend that continues to this day. In response, America’s Innovation Agency took steps to better serve the nation’s innovators. Our agency moved swiftly toward electronic filing for both patent and trademark applicants. We piloted a pioneering work-from-home program. And two new Public Advisory Committees (PACs) took on a vital responsibility – representing the interests of inventors and entrepreneurs across the country. 

On November 29, 1999, President Bill Clinton signed the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act into law. Among other matters, this intellectual property (IP) legislation established the Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) and the Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC). Each made up of nine voting members, the PACs were tasked with reviewing the USPTO’s policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees, and advising the Director on the best way to move the agency forward. The members themselves were and are steeped in the diverse and rapidly changing IP community, with representatives from small businesses, universities, large corporations, and emerging technologies. Their voices have offered valuable insight and driven change within the agency for over two decades. 

Looking back on 25 years, we celebrate a quarter-century of the USPTO’s PACs by asking some key figures to share their accounts on the important impact the PACs have had on their work. (Some accounts have been edited for brevity.)

 

Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO 

“Happy 25th anniversary to our Public Advisory Committees and to everyone who has served the USPTO on the PACs over the years! You have helped lift IP within our communities, country, and the world, and shape policies to support our people, our stakeholders, and robust and reliable IP. With your guidance, we have become stronger and more agile. Alongside you, our workforce, our unions, and our stakeholders, we are moving the needle for innovation and entrepreneurship, solving community and world problems, and fostering economic and national security. Thank you for all you’ve done and will continue to do to move our country forward.”

Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chair, Senate Judiciary IP Subcommittee 

“Congratulations to PPAC and TPAC on 25 years of service to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the American public!  The PACs plays a crucial role in shaping U.S. IP policies by engaging with inventors, entrepreneurs, businesses, legal experts, and the public.  I wish the PACs continued success in helping to shape our IP policy and I look forward to reviewing this year’s annual reports for their valuable insights and recommendations.”

Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary IP Subcommittee 

“I want to congratulate the PPAC and TPAC for 25 years of public service and to especially acknowledge and thank those who have served on these Committees over its many years. Intellectual property is central to the success of the U.S. economic engine and IP is what makes the U.S. the global leader in innovation. Therefore, we must strive to not only protect IP rights but to also improve these rights so as to make sure that they keep pace with emerging technologies. Both the PPAC and TPAC play an important role in this.” 

Vaishali Udupa, Commissioner for Patents

“Happy anniversary to the PPAC committee! The 25-year partnership between the USPTO and PPAC is invaluable to our agency. The PPAC’s guidance and insights on a number of issues, including patent quality and our pendency reduction initiatives, are critical contributions to ensure our actions are informed by these key leaders from the public. I look forward to continuing our collaboration in the years to come. Thank you PPAC members for your hard work and service on the committee.”

David Gooder, Commissioner for Trademarks

“On behalf of the entire Trademarks organization at the USPTO, I congratulate TPAC, and its members – past and present – on the 25th anniversary of the founding of this highly distinguished group of trademark advisors. During my term as Commissioner, the TPAC has helped the trademark office make critical decisions as we navigated a long list of defining challenges, such as the pandemic, our reduction in the resultingly high application pendency, our actions to fight against trademark fraud and scams, our work modernizing 40-year-old IT systems, and the myriad of policy decisions required to launch the Trademark Modernization Act. We at the USPTO, together with brand owners and the entire trademark community, are all stronger for your dedicated service and for that, we thank you sincerely. Happy 25th anniversary, TPAC!

Kathleen Duda, President, POPA

“The Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) has been an important link between the public and the agency, allowing input to the agency that it might not otherwise receive. The Patent Office Professional Association (POPA) appreciates the work of the PPAC and their interaction with the agency and the union.”

Harold Ross, President, National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) 243

“As Vince Lombardi said, ‘The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.’ NTEU 243 appreciates the efforts of each individual on the PACs, and congratulates their achievements. I wish both PACs a happy 25th anniversary.”

Jay Besch, President, NTEU 245

“The Trademark Public Advisory Committee is truly a forum for the public, the agency, and its employees to share information, interests, and perspectives.  Our union has been a proud member since it began, and we have seen how valuable working together through this forum has been to promote understanding and reach solutions that are beneficial to all.  We look forward to our continued participation.”

PPAC members

 

Loletta “Lolita” Darden (Chair)

“Intellectual property creation and protection are essential to increasing U.S. competitiveness, job growth, and economic stability. PPAC has provided me the opportunity to advocate for programs that increase awareness among the general public regarding patent protection and procedures and for patent protection systems that address the needs of the solo inventors and small and medium-sized enterprises. Over the past 2 years, as a member of PPAC I have had the opportunity to work closely with Director Vidal on these issues.”

Henry Hadad

“I am privileged to serve on the PPAC, which reviews and provides input on proposed USPTO policies, goals, performance, and budget. The PPAC represents a wide range of USPTO stakeholders that care deeply about the intellectual property system and its role in driving innovation and economic growth.  By working closely and collaboratively with our USPTO colleagues, we hope our insights and experience inform the USPTO as it considers how to best protect the existing and emerging technologies that will create a better future.”

Suzanne Harrison

“I joined PPAC with the intent to work with the USPTO to help them think more strategically about how best to utilize patents for the benefit of our nation and our national competitiveness.”

Lateef Mtima

“Service on the PPAC affords its members the unique privilege of assisting the USPTO in its function to promote effective IP protection for American innovators and entrepreneurs and to provide the American public with the training, education, and capacity building programs that will foster respect for IP achievement. I’m especially excited to serve on the PPAC as the USPTO implements the National Strategy for Inclusive Innovation and fulfills the mandate of the Unleashing American Innovators Act to ensure that Americans from every geographic region and all walks of life enjoy the opportunity to cultivate their innovative potential to uplift their individual communities and to benefit our nation as a whole.”

Marvin Slepian

“As a long-standing inventor, physician-scientist, engineer and developer of medical devices it has been an honor to be selected to serve on PPAC. Having the opportunity to bring years of real-world experience and expertise involving patenting and stewardship of intellectual property of cutting-edge devices, diagnostics and therapeutics – many of which successfully translated to clinical use today with lifesaving impact – has been a personal motivator to contribute to and advance the USPTO innovation mission. Without USPTO patent protection, none of the major device and technologies that are essential for the advancement of health and well-being for so many in the U.S and worldwide would exist today. As a current member of PPAC actively engaged in research and application of artificial intelligence in medicine, engineering, and across many disciplines, it has been a privilege to be engaged with many at USPTO as to how best to integrate, steward, and maximize the advances that this technology offers, to drive the USPTO mission and innovation for America.”

Olivia Tsai

“I am honored to serve on PPAC in a nation that champions widespread innovation and growth. This unique committee brings together distinguished IP leaders from diverse backgrounds and industries to collaborate with USPTO counterparts towards a common goal of supporting the best patent system in the world. It is my pleasure to listen and advise; the intellectual discussions and friendships made along the way are truly unmatched.”

TPAC members

 

Adraea Brown (Chair)

“It has been both a privilege and an honor to serve as a member and chair of TPAC. This experience has allowed me to work with some of the best minds in the trademark profession, gain valuable insights into the USPTO, and develop a profound appreciation for the dedicated professionals who collectively make the USPTO one of the leading intellectual property offices in the world. I have immense respect for everyone at the agency and appreciate the collaborative dynamic with Director Vidal, Commissioner Gooder, and their leadership teams who actively seek and welcome our questions and suggestions. I doubt another career experience can top this one.”

Amy Hsiao (Vice Chair)

“I’ll admit, I was hesitant at first, not entirely sure what I was stepping into with TPAC. But now, I’m in awe. Serving on TPAC has been nothing short of an incredible journey, providing a unique window into how policies shape the future for American businesses – from fraud prevention to AI innovation. It’s a true honor to witness how government operates. The connections forged and the insights gained from this experience are extraordinary. I walk away with a newfound respect for our government and the dedicated individuals behind it. For me, TPAC is like an intensive MBA program, stretching – in a good way – my understanding beyond law into the realms of business, policy, and beyond. It’s truly a rewarding, fun, and incredibly cool experience.”

Valerie Calloway

“It’s an honor to serve on TPAC during its 25th anniversary. Serving with the extraordinary African American women who are the current PAC Chairs is an experience of a lifetime. Exchanging perspectives with a variety of stakeholders to further innovation and business growth is an invaluable experience I’ll treasure forever.”

Rod Enns

“It has been the privilege of my career to serve on TPAC. Trademarks leadership partners with us and genuinely values our input, and the collegiality among TPAC members, some of the most accomplished practitioners in the field, makes for a great environment. I figured TPAC service would be interesting and rewarding, but I didn’t expect it to be so much fun!

Deborah Gerhardt

“Serving on TPAC has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. At a TPAC meeting, the breadth of experience in the room is extraordinary. The USPTO ensures that the TPAC members come from different perspectives: private companies, nonprofits, large law firms, and universities. Each USPTO employee and TPAC member has experienced the world of IP so differently, that every meeting offers opportunities to learn from the extensive experience everyone brings to the table. Thanks to my TPAC service, I have a deeper appreciation for the many ways the USPTO serves the public and works to make the IP ecosystem accessible to everyone.”

Dana Brown Northcott

“It has been a true honor to serve on the TPAC, particularly as we celebrate its 25th anniversary.  The partnership and collaboration between TPAC and the USPTO have provided me a first-hand view of the USPTO’s dedication to enabling greater access to crucial IP protection mechanisms, as well as highlighted the USPTO’s commitment to encouraging diversity in innovation and entrepreneurship.”