Former Patent Commissioner Robert Stoll joins the Clause 8 podcast to talk about working his way up from being an examiner to being the commissioner over his 30+ year-long career at the USPTO. As commissioner, Bob helped former USTPO Director David Kappos implement the American Invents Act (AIA) and transform how the USPTO’s patent examiners operate. Before that, he served as USPTO’s head of the Office of Legislation and International Affairs under Director John Dudas. Now out of government, he freely shares what he thought about what happened at the USPTO during his time there as an executive, why he stayed, and what he thinks about the current state of America’s patent system.
He also talks about what it’s like to be part of the “first family” of IP law, which includes Federal Circuit Judge Kara Stoll.
In this episode, Eli and Bob also discuss:
How so many of Bob’s family members ended up serving in senior IP roles in every branch of US government and internationally
Bob’s secrets for longevity & success at the USPTO
How he became Commissioner
Relationship with David Kappos
Whether the USPTO Director is really in charge of an administration’s patent policy
Creation of the Patent Trial and Appeals Board (PTAB) and post-grant proceedings
Role of “patent troll” narrative
Whether there is a “patent quality” problem
Director Vidal’s exercise of her Director review power
Proposals to record examiner interviews
Importance of IP bar organizations in shaping policies
Commissioner Stoll on Being Part of ‘First Family’ of Patent Law