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USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Chief Judge David P. Ruschke is stepping down from his current role on September 2, 2018, to accept a new position as Senior Advisor to Patents, according to the USPTO. 

Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, noted the change as a means to enhance the internal coordination between the Office of the Commissioner of Patents, which examines applications and grants patents on inventions, and the PTAB, which renders decisions on appeals from adverse examiner decisions, post-issuance challenges to patents, and interferences. 

 

"While the PTAB and Patents have worked closely together to provide high-quality patent services, establishing a more direct channel between the business units will improve the free flow of information" and serve to "optimize our organization," Iancu said. 

 

"David has served as Chief Judge for the PTAB since 2016 and has practical law firm, judiciary, and corporate experience in all areas of intellectual property law. This breadth of experience means he is well-positioned to address the concerns of our stakeholders, patent examiners, and PTAB judges," Iancu continued. 

 

The USPTO also announced that Deputy Chief Scott R. Boalick will now serve as the Acting Chief Administrative Patent Judge while the Office conducts a search for Ruschke's replacement. Vice Chief Judge Jacqueline Bonilla will serve as the Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Patent Judge.