By Donald Zuhn —

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has announced that on Thursday at 12:30 pm (EST), U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke will administer the oath of office to David Kappos (at right), the new Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO.  The new USPTO Director was confirmed by the U.S. Senate last Friday.  According to the USPTO announcement, the ceremony, which will take place at USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, VA, "will highlight Mr. Kappos' leadership role and recognize the vital role that the USPTO plays in promoting American innovation."