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.[1][2] Before his appointment, he worked for General Electric for several decades and served as its general patent counsel.[3]
Early life and education
Manbeck was born in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, on June 26, 1926.[3] During World War II, he served in the United States Army Signal Corps.[4] 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.[3][4]
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.[3][2] His obituary in The New York Times described him as having directed GE's patent activities and policies while serving as general patent counsel.[4]
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.[3] Manbeck took the oath of office on March 12, 1990.[2]
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.[2] In 1992, he amended the USPTO rule governing patent applicants' duty to disclose information to the office.[2] He also led the United States delegation in international negotiations concerning patent-law harmonization.[2][5]
Manbeck resigned as commissioner effective June 1, 1992.[2]
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.[4][5]
Manbeck died at his home in McLean, Virginia, on February 19, 2025, at the age of 98.[4][6]
References
- "Past leaders of the USPTO". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- "Harry F. Manbeck Jr". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- "Nomination of Harry F. Manbeck, Jr., To Be Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks". The American Presidency Project. October 11, 1989. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- "Harry Manbeck Obituary". The New York Times. March 2, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Legacy.com.
- "In Memoriam: Remembering Harry F. Manbeck, Jr". Rothwell Figg. February 19, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- "Harry Manbeck, Former USPTO Head, Dies At 98". Law360. February 21, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2026.