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IPO has long supported reforms to ensure its members have access to
cost effective and reliable intellectual property rights. Today, IPO
members universally believe that the patent system needs improvement and
have urged Congress to enact meaningful patent reform legislation.
Increased usage of the patent system and an under-funded agency have
left the USPTO in crisis situation, unable to keep pace with developing
technology. Questions about patent quality, long pendency rates (from
filing to grant) and increased litigation have made the system less
accessible and more costly to use and, as a result, the system is
hampering companies and inventors from successfully bringing new,
innovative products to market. Funding for the USPTO has increased in
recent years allowing the agency to hire new examiners in record numbers
(roughly 1200 per year) to begin to address these problems, but
legislative changes are also needed.
Legislation introduced in the 108th, 109th, 110th and 111th
Congresses have been the subject of numerous hearings in the House and
in the Senate (see listing of all House and Senate hearings
on this issue). IPO has testified infront of the House (on 4/20/2005)
and in front of the Senate (on 6/14/2005 and 3/10/2009).
IPO has continued throughout to participate in a number of cross
industry discussions (within and outside of IPO) to address various
concerns. IPO has taken positions on a number of the individual
provisions in the bills supporting a majority of those under discussion.
Some of the key positions in the bills (based on 110th Congress
legislation) are highlighted here.
In the 111th Congress, IPO continues to urge congressional
leaders to move forward legislation as soon as possible. Activities
include regular discussions with staff, developing IPO positions in the
IPO Committees and at the Board of Directors, and facilitating Capitol
Hill Days and other meetings for IPO leadership with Congressional
leaders. IPO contininues to advocate for meaningful patent reform that
will:
- Improve the Quality of Issued Patents
- Reduce Patent Litigation Costs and Risks
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