Gerald J. Mossinghoff
Gerald J. Mossinghoff | |
|---|---|
| Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks | |
| In office July 8, 1981 – January 21, 1985 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Sidney A. Diamond |
| Succeeded by | Donald J. Quigg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 30, 1935 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | March 20, 2020 (aged 84) Arlington, Virginia, U.S. |
| Education | Saint Louis University (BS) George Washington University Law School (JD) |
Gerald J. Mossinghoff (September 30, 1935 – March 20, 2020) was an American patent lawyer, government official, and trade association executive who served as Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks from 1981 to 1985.[1][2] During his tenure, Congress changed the title of the office to Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks.[2] He later served as president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and was inducted into the IP Hall of Fame in 2007.[3]
Early life and education
Mossinghoff was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 30, 1935. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Saint Louis University and a law degree from George Washington University Law School.[4][2]
Career
Mossinghoff first joined the Patent Office in 1957. He worked as a patent examiner and later held legal and legislative positions at the office, including director of legislative planning.[4] Before becoming commissioner, he also served in legal and legislative affairs positions at NASA, including deputy general counsel.[4][2]
President Ronald Reagan nominated Mossinghoff to be Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks in 1981, and he took the oath of office on July 8 of that year.[4][2] The USPTO credits his tenure with major automation efforts, including a master plan for complete office automation, the introduction of computerized search tools, and changes intended to reduce patent and trademark backlogs.[2]
The IP Hall of Fame states that Mossinghoff advised Reagan on the establishment of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and initiated a broad automation program at the USPTO.[3] In 1984, The Washington Post covered Mossinghoff's role in the application of the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984 to Japanese companies, reporting that he would recommend against protection for Japanese companies unless Japan took steps to protect American chip designs.[5]
Mossinghoff resigned at the end of Reagan's first term in January 1985.[2] He later served as president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and entered private practice, where he worked on intellectual property litigation and policy matters.[3][6]
Death
Mossinghoff died in Arlington, Virginia, on March 20, 2020, at the age of 84.[7]
References
- ↑ "Past leaders of the USPTO". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Gerald J. Mossinghoff". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Gerald Mossinghoff". IP Hall of Fame. IAM. May 20, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Nomination of Gerald J. Mossinghoff To Be Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks". The American Presidency Project. March 20, 1981. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ Burgess, John (November 13, 1984). "Japan Fears More Trade Friction". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Praise for the Police IP Crime Unit's coronavirus counterfeits swoop; Katy Perry clothing spat; Iceland amends fees – news digest". World Trademark Review. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Gerald Mossinghoff Obituary". The Washington Post. March 22, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Legacy.com.
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