過去的中國專利局現在改叫國家知識產權局,但它卻不管版權和商標。國家知識產權局算所謂的“國務院專利行政部門”,該局負責管理全國的專利工作;統一受理和審查專利申請,依法授予專利權。所以我猜測,中國知識產權局長是個部級幹部。
相比之下,美國專利與商標局隻是established as an agency of the United States, within the Department of Commerce(商業部). 駱家輝(Gary Faye Locke) 現在(10-29-2010)是商業部部長。The powers and duties of the United States Patent and Trademark Office shall be vested in an Under Secretary of Commerce (商業部副部長) for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, who shall be a citizen of the United States and who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. 所以我猜測,美國專利與商標局局長隻是個副部級幹部。
結論: 中國專利局長的官位似乎比美國的大。
看你這麽肯定,我想我猜錯了。中美局長的官看來一樣大。謝謝指正。