FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                      
July 8, 2009                                                                                     
Contact: Eric Thomas
202-822-9491; ethomas@fratelli.com

Innovation Alliance Applauds House Vote to Help Alleviate PTO Funding Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – The Innovation Alliance, a coalition of mostly small and medium-sized technology companies seeking to enhance America’s innovation environment by improving the quality of patents and protecting the integrity of the U.S. patent system, applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for approving a bill designed to help alleviate the funding crisis at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO).

H.R. 3114 will authorize the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to use funds made available under the Trademark Act of 1946 for patent operations in order to avoid employee furloughs and other cutbacks at PTO.

The House approved the bill on a voice vote. Companion legislation in the Senate, S. 1358, was recently approved by unanimous consent.

“America’s innovation community is grateful for the overwhelming support shown by Congress for the mission of the PTO and for the importance of our patent system,” said Brian Pomper, Executive Director of the Innovation Alliance. “This action will allow PTO to use funds designated for its trademark portfolio to help address its growing backlog of patent applications. Clearing this backlog and being able to more efficiently process applications at the PTO is vital to the growth of a healthy innovation economy.”

Despite the significant backlog in patent applications, PTO has been under a hiring freeze, has suspended overtime pay for patent examiners, and was facing potential employee furloughs due to lack of funds.

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