Harry F. Manbeck Jr.

Harry F. Manbeck Jr.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
In office March 12, 1990 – June 1, 1992
President	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	Donald J. Quigg
Succeeded by	Bruce A. Lehman
Personal details
Born	(1926-06-26)June 26, 1926 Honesdale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	February 19, 2025(2025-02-19) (aged 98) McLean, Virginia, U.S.
Education	Lehigh University (BS) University of Louisville School of Law (LLB)

Harry F. Manbeck Jr. (June 26, 1926 – February 19, 2025) was an American patent lawyer, engineer, and government official who served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks from 1990 to 1992. Before his appointment, he worked for General Electric for several decades and served as its general patent counsel.

Early life and education

Manbeck was born in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, on June 26, 1926. During World War II, he served in the United States Army Signal Corps. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University in 1949 and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1954.

General Electric career

Manbeck joined General Electric in 1949 as an engineer. He later became a patent attorney for the company and rose to the position of general patent counsel, a role he held for about 20 years. His obituary in The New York Times described him as having directed GE's patent activities and policies while serving as general patent counsel.

Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks

President George H. W. Bush announced Manbeck's nomination to be Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks on October 11, 1989. Manbeck took the oath of office on March 12, 1990.

During Manbeck's tenure, the USPTO participated in bicentennial events commemorating the first United States patent and copyright laws, increased trademark examining capacity after the adoption of intent-to-use trademark applications, and issued patent number 5,000,000 under the numbering system that began in 1836. In 1992, he amended the USPTO rule governing patent applicants' duty to disclose information to the office. He also led the United States delegation in international negotiations concerning patent-law harmonization.

Manbeck resigned as commissioner effective June 1, 1992.

Later career and death

After leaving government service, Manbeck entered private practice. He worked with Morgan & Finnegan and later joined Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, where he remained until his retirement from law practice in 2012.

Manbeck died at his home in McLean, Virginia, on February 19, 2025, at the age of 98.

References

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