IPO Legislative Action Center

Advocating on Behalf of IP Owners

IPO advocates effective protection for patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and also urges laws that provide reasonable certainty to avoid undue litigation. IPO positions are communicated to Congress, the U.S. Copyright Office, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Trade Representative and other agencies.

Agenda for 110th Congress (second session)

IPO’s primary focus in the 110th Congress (second session) continues to be on patent reform legislation. IPO members file approximately 30 percent of the patent applications that are filed at the USPTO by U.S. nationals. IPO will continue to support reforms that enhance the quality of patents granted, reduce the uncertainty and increasing costs of litigation and change the U.S. patent system to a first-inventor-to-file system. Other priorities for the 110th Congress will include: 1) Ending PTO fee diversion and 2) Increasing tools to combat counterfeiting and piracy.

Tools for Learning More

As an IPO Member, you have access to the following tools that can help learn more about issues relevant to you:

• Key Members of Congress
• Find and contact your member of Congress in The House of Representatives or  The Senate.
• Research Committees for The House of Representatives or The Senate.
• Browse bills in The House of Representatives or The Senate that relate to your interests.
• Purchase a 2008 IPO Congressional Directory.
• Contact the IPO Office at (202) 466-2396 or info@ipo.org

IP Issues Archives

• Trademark Dilution
• USPTO Fees & Funding
• IP and Antitrust
• American Inventors Protection Act
• Other Legislative Documents

If you have questions about IPO's legislative program, please contact the IPO office at 202/466-2396 or email Dana Colarulli at dana@ipo.org.