New Leadership at the USPTO: What Changes Startups Should Expect

In September 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed John A. Squires as the new Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). He steps into the role at a time when patent eligibility, artificial intelligence, and fraudulent trademark filings are hot issues for innovators and entrepreneurs.

For startups, leadership changes at the USPTO can directly affect how quickly applications move, how intellectual property is protected, and how disputes are resolved. Here’s what we know so far — and what it might mean for business owners and founders.

Who Is John Squires?

Squires is a former Goldman Sachs attorney with decades of intellectual property experience. He also chaired the Emerging Companies and Intellectual Property practice at law firm Dilworth Paxson and has taught as an adjunct law professor.

His background suggests familiarity with both high-growth startups and large corporate IP strategy — a mix that could influence how he approaches the agency’s priorities.

Early Signals From His First Days

While it’s too soon for sweeping policy changes, Squires’s first actions as director have already sent messages about his approach:

  • Issuing patents in emerging technologies: Within his first week, he signed off on patents in the diagnostic and blockchain fields — areas where patent eligibility has often been disputed.

  • Vacating a PTAB rejection: He vacated a Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) decision that had rejected a machine-learning invention under Section 101, which governs subject matter eligibility.

  • Testimony during confirmation: In Senate hearings, he emphasized making patents “strong up front,” ensuring PTAB access is consistent with Congress’s intent, and using AI tools to improve USPTO efficiency.

These actions suggest he is signaling support for protecting innovations in fast-moving industries and re-examining how eligibility standards are applied.

Why This Matters for Startups

For a startup, intellectual property is often its most valuable asset. Leadership at the USPTO shapes how quickly and clearly founders can secure that protection. Under Squires, here are a few areas to watch:

  1. Patent Eligibility
    – Startups working in software, AI, biotech, or financial tech may benefit from clearer or more consistent rulings on what qualifies for patent protection. His early decisions point to a willingness to give applied technologies a fairer review.

  2. PTAB Reviews
    – The PTAB is where patents can be challenged after they are granted. Squires has indicated he will keep access open and not block reviews with overly broad discretionary denials. That balance is important for startups that need both protection and clarity.

  3. Backlog and Efficiency
    – The USPTO has struggled with examination delays. Squires has committed to improving examiner tools and considering AI to reduce the backlog. For startups, faster processing could mean quicker protection when time is critical.

  4. Transparency
    – Squires has voiced support for stronger disclosure of who is funding patent challenges. This could make the process more transparent for startups facing disputes.

Key Takeaway

It’s too early to know exactly how John Squires will reshape the USPTO, but his background and first decisions suggest a focus on:

  • Supporting emerging technologies, including AI and diagnostics

  • Reviewing how patent eligibility rules are applied

  • Improving efficiency for inventors and businesses

  • Balancing fair access to PTAB reviews with the need for strong patents

For startups, this is a signal to keep a close eye on USPTO updates in the months ahead. Stronger, clearer protection at the agency level could make a real difference in how young companies protect their ideas and attract investment.

At Borderless Counsel, we help founders navigate these changes and secure their intellectual property with confidence.

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