York Daily Record: Pending patent legislation in D.C. would hurt local businesses (column), by Christopher B. Reilly
This post originally appeared in York Daily Record on August 28, 2015.
At the end of each summer, members of Congress return home for the August recess. The goal for most is to reconnect with their constituents and educate themselves on issues that are important to district voters.
This summer brings with it a new challenge for our business community.
Two pieces of legislation currently pending in Congress, H.R. 9 and S. 1137, would have dramatic effects on a U.S. Patent System that has protected the ingenuity and creativity of American inventors and entrepreneurs for decades.
It is time for these folks, business owners and everyone else who cares about the state of the U.S. economy to tell their congressman and Sens. Toomey and Casey to oppose the aforementioned bills.
As a York County commissioner and amateur inventor (a friend and I sought a U.S. Patent for an item of outerwear we developed back in the early 2000s and two other York-area friends received patents for products they created) I know the tremendous benefits of maintaining a strong patent system. We have countless employers here in York County who rely on patents to protect their businesses. There are patented products being manufactured throughout York County, which ensure jobs for local residents and tax revenue for governments at every level. A prime example is area manufacturing heavyweight BAE Systems. BAE continues to develop and receive patents for products that aid in our national defense.