Gary Locke Has Been Confirmed By The US Senate As The Country’s New Secretary Of Commerce
20 November 2012
Former Washington state governor Gary Locke has been confirmed by the US Senate as the country’s new secretary of commerce, a role which gives him oversight over the US Patent and Trademark Office. Locke is also a former Davis Wright Tremaine partner who worked with the firm’s China, energy and government relations practices.Locke was President Obama’s third choice for the role, gaining his nomination after New Mexico governor Bill Richardson withdrew from consideration in January when controversy erupted over government contracts his administration had granted to a top financial supporter and after New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg withdrew in February, citing irreconcilable policy differences.
IP observers were encouraged by Locke’s responses to questions posed by Kansas Senator Sam Brownback at a Senate hearing. “I would work with Congress on patent reform legislation that would enhance innovation by fairly balancing the interests of innovators across all industries and technologies. I agree that patent law reform should not favour one industry or any particular area of technology over another,” he said. “I would not support any statutory reform that devalues patent holder’s rights.”