President Obama has announced his intent to nominate David Kappos to be the next Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.   Kappos is the Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at IBM, where he is responsible for intellectual property issues, including IBM's patent portfolio.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Intellectual Property Owners Association, and the International Intellectual Property Society.   Senator Patrick Leahy, who Chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee that must confirm Kappos before he can take the position, issued a statement supporting the nomination.