Melvin Watt: “And with having been granted that unanimous consent, I think I can submit substantially all of my statement into the…”

“And with having been granted that unanimous consent, I think I can submit substantially all of my statement into the Record. However, I did want to acknowledge the outstanding stewardship of Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the director of the Patent and Trademark Office, David Kappos, and his remarkable staff for their tireless efforts both in getting patent reform across the finish line and in the timely implementation of its provisions. In connection with these amendments to the bill, Director Kappos has announced that he intends to leave the Patent and Trademark Office in January. He will leave behind a long line of achievements and good will that were instrumental throughout this process, and he will leave behind a Patent and Trademark Office that is much better respected and equipped to serve the important purpose of recognizing and protecting our important intellectual property than the office was before he arrived there. His successor, no doubt, will have some big shoes to fill. And we wish Director Kappos all our best in all of his future endeavors. Mr. Speaker, after concerted effort over at least three terms of Congress, last year we completed a major overhaul of our patent system designed to afford American inventors with a more efficient, effective, and well-resourced patent office. President Obama signed the Leahy- Smith America Invents Act into law on September 16, 2011.…”