Innovation Alliance Honors U.S. Senators Ayotte and Coons with “Champion of the Inventor” Award
In Celebration of National Inventors’ Day, Senators to be Recognized for Their Support for American Inventors and a Strong U.S. Patent System
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Chris Coons (D-DE) today are receiving “Champion of the Inventor” awards from the Innovation Alliance, in recognition of their support for American inventors and a strong U.S. patent system. The awards are being presented at a reception celebrating National Inventors’ Day.
“The American inventor has always been important to our nation’s success,” said Brian Pomper, Executive Director of the Innovation Alliance. “Senators Ayotte and Coons have long supported inventors and the strong intellectual property rights that drive U.S. innovation and competitiveness. As we celebrate National Inventors’ Day, it is appropriate that we honor these two Congressional champions of American inventors.”
“I’m honored to be recognized by the Innovation Alliance and appreciate their advocacy as we work together to protect vital intellectual property and patent rights in New Hampshire and across the country,” said Senator Ayotte. “I will continue to push for strong pro-growth policies that allow American innovation and technology to thrive. Robust and balanced intellectual property policy is crucial to moving our economy forward and encouraging entrepreneurial companies to grow, create jobs, and compete in the global marketplace.”
“America’s patent system has long been the bedrock of our country’s ability to innovate and grow our economy,” said Senator Coons. “I’m honored to be recognized by the Innovation Alliance, an organization that has worked tirelessly to protect America’s inventors large and small. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in the Senate from raising serious concerns about overbroad patent reform to passing bipartisan legislation out of committee to help American businesses protect the trade secrets that drive their growth. I will continue to fight for patent reform that works for all inventors and strikes the right balance between incentivizing innovation and promoting collaboration.”
“Senator Kelly Ayotte is a true champion of innovation and protecting the rights of inventors,” said Dean Kamen, Founder of DEKA Research & Development. “As our Founding Fathers recognized in our Constitution, strong intellectual property is fundamental to incentivizing new technologies and to building our economy. Senator Ayotte has been a staunch and tireless protector these rights. I congratulate Kelly on this richly-deserved recognition and I am proud to call her both our Senator and a great friend.”
“Companies like ours that make long-term investments in R&D depend on a strong U.S. patent licensing system, and we’re very proud that our home-state senator, Chris Coons, is so instrumental in leading the effort to preserve the strength of American innovation and its economic contributions,” said William J. Merritt, President and CEO of InterDigital, Inc. “As an innovator himself and an advocate for American ingenuity, Chris Coons has been at the forefront of a level-headed, fact-based approach to intellectual property policy.”
President Ronald Reagan designated February 11 as National Inventors’ Day in honor of inventor Thomas Edison’s birthday and in “recognition of the enormous contribution inventors make to the nation and the world.”
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ABOUT THE INNOVATION ALLIANCE
The Innovation Alliance represents innovators, patent owners and stakeholders from a diverse range of industries that believe in the critical importance of maintaining a strong patent system that supports innovative enterprises of all sizes. Innovation Alliance members can be found in large and small communities across the country, helping to fuel the innovation pipeline and drive the 21st century economy. Learn more at www.innovation.wideeyeclient.com.
Contact: Kat Maramba, (202) 740-3069, Kathrina@BlueEngineMedia.com