FICPI is appreciative of the USPTO’s commitment to our useful and open dialogues during our yearly bilateral meetings, as well as the dedication to discussions in USPTO topic-specific meetings and initiatives.
Together with engagements with IP Offices, international organisations, and diplomatic stakeholders globally, these interactions support FICPI’s objective of strengthening the effectiveness of IP attorneys and furthering the IP profession for the benefit of all involved.
FICPI was welcomed by Daniel (Dan) Ryman, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Patents, followed by opening remarks from Coke Morgan Stewart on behalf of USPTO and Michael Caine on behalf of FICPI.
We were very pleased to have the opportunity to meet John A. Squires, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and Coke Morgan Stewart, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the USPTO.
Discussions with the Deputy Director covered recent changes in PTAB practices as well as the Office’s use of AI in many USPTO processes. Our meeting continued with deep discussion with USPTO leaders from Patents, Trademarks, PTAB, TTAB and OPIA.
Thank you to all involved for a very productive meeting!
FICPI delegation:
- Michael Caine (AUZ) - Vice President
- Sharon E. Crane, Ph.D. (she/her) (US) - Secretary General
- Louis-Pierre Gravelle, CPVA (CA) Deputy Secretary General
- Robert Watson (GB) - President, Study and Work Committee (CET)
- Rob Katz (US) - President, FICPI-US
- R. Danny Huntington (US) - President of Honour
- Brett Slaney (CA) - CET Vice President
- Donna Tobin (US) - CET 1 Study & Work Group on Trademarks
- C. Gregory Gramenopoulos (US) - Vice President, FICPI-US
USPTO delegation:
- John A. Squires, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO
- Coke Morgan Stewart, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the USPTO
- Daniel (Dan) Ryman, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Patents
- Valencia Martin Wallace, Acting Commissioner for Patents
- Robin Evans, Deputy Commissioner for Patents
- Charles Kim, Deputy Commissioner for Patents
- Karen Young, Deputy Commissioner for Patents
- Greg Vidovich, Deputy Commissioner for Patents
- Barry Schindler, Deputy Commissioner for Patents
- Brian Hanlon, Assistant Commissioner for Patents
- Greg Trader, Acting Assistant Commissioner for Patents
- Rob Clarke, Director of the Office of Patent Legal Administration and Acting Assistant Commissioner for Patents
- Fenn Mathew, Acting Director, Central Reexamination Unit
- Bonnie Eyler, Group Director - TC1600
- Tim Collins, Supervisory Patent Examiner - TC3600
- Richard Fernandez, Acting Lead Product Owner of Patent Center
- Maryam Ipakchi, International Patents Business Analyst - International Patent Business Solutions (IPBS)
- Aarti Shah, Program Manager - IPBS
- Dan Vavonese, Acting Commissioner for Trademarks
- Amy Cotton, Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Examination Policy
- Christine Cooper, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Examination Policy
- Kalyan Deshpande, Chief Judge
- Michael Kim, Vice Chief Judge
- Christine Hieber, Acting Chief Judge
- Mary Critharis, Chief Policy Officer
- Stefano Karmis, Acting Deputy Chief Policy Officer
- Charles Eloshway, Principal Counsel and Director for Patent Policy
FICPI’s view and involvement
Independent IP attorneys help organisations protect and build value in their IP assets, and bring insights and counsel from a wider external perspective and a commitment to high quality work. FICPI brings IP attorneys from around the world together to connect, share knowledge and grow.
Next steps
- Consider becoming involved with FICPI's Study & Work Committee, with groups ranging from designs to international patents, and biotechnology & pharmaceuticals.
- Book now to join us at the FICPI Open Forum in Budapest, 16-19 September 2026. Anyone with an interest in IP is welcome at the Open Forum.
