Christopher Kelly Named Chair of USPTO Trademark Public Advisory Committee

December 9, 2020

Washington, DC – Wiley partner Christopher Kelly, chair of the firm’s Trademark Practice, has been named Chair of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC). Mr. Kelly will serve in this position for a one-year term ending December 1, 2021. He served as Vice Chair of TPAC for the past year.

The USPTO also welcomed three new members of the TPAC in the new term: David Cho, Assistant Vice President Senior Legal Counsel–Trademarks and Copyrights at AT&T; Tracy Deutmeyer, a trademark lawyer in private practice; and Jomarie Fredericks, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Intellectual Property and Brand Counsel at Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation.

The American Investors Act of 1999 created the TPAC to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO on matters relating to the policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees for the trademark operation. The committee has nine voting members who are appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Secretary of Commerce. Each member serves a three-year term.

Mr. Kelly represents clients in connection with all aspects of trademark enforcement, procurement, and management, including trademark and unfair competition litigation in the federal courts and proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. He also handles cybersquatting and internet domain name disputes and litigation, including proceedings under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Procedure (UDRP), domestic and international trademark clearance and prosecution, licensing, and client counseling. Mr. Kelly’s clients include restaurant chains, media and communications conglomerates, internet and insurance firms, and textile and food manufacturers.