Managing IP, a news outlet focused on the intellectual property world, has named ChIPs London and Kathi Vidal, Director of the USPTO and longtime ChIPster, among the 50 most influential people in IP this year.

Of the ChIPs London chapter, Managing IP highlighted their successes in securing changing to court guidelines for the patents division of the High Court of England and Wales. These changes will allow junior IP lawyers to be more involved with their cases.

Managing IP specifically named ChIPs members Annsley Merelle Ward, Amy Crouch, Laura Whiting, and Tom Mitcheson KC.

Additionally, Kathi Vidal, USPTO Director and Silicon Valley Chapter member, was named as an IP authority. This is her second year in a row being named a top IP influencer. Specifically, Managing IP cited her reforms to the interim director review process that allowed directors to review the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s decisions on instituting proceedings. Her oversight on the USPTO’s publication on Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking this year also earned her a spot on the list.

ChIPs is proud to have 5 individuals on the list this year; this recognition is well-deserved.

Annsley Merelle Ward (top right), Amy Crouch (bottom left), Laura Whiting (bottom right), and Tom Mitcheson KC (top left) are ChIPS members based in London.

Vidal is the director of the USPTO