Innovation Alliance Statement on Introduction of a House Version of the Bipartisan STRONGER Patents Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Innovation Alliance Executive Director Brian Pomper today issued the following statement in response to the introduction of a House version of the bipartisan STRONGER Patents Act by Representatives Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Bill Foster (D-IL):
“The Innovation Alliance commends Representatives Stivers and Foster for introducing the bipartisan STRONGER Patents Act in the House of Representatives. This comprehensive legislation is the smart policy we need to reverse the alarming decline of the U.S. patent system and innovation economy we have seen in recent years.
“A decade of harmful congressional actions and court decisions have weakened American patent rights, abandoned small inventors and undermined U.S. innovation. And as the U.S. has curtailed patent protections, foreign competitors, including China, have strengthened theirs.
“The warning signs are everywhere. In 2018, the U.S. fell to 12th place in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s international ranking of patent system strength, falling behind countries such as South Korea and Spain. The U.S. also fell out of the top 10 of Bloomberg’s international innovation index for the first time ever. Meanwhile, startup activity in the U.S. has slumped and venture capital investment has increasingly moved overseas.
“The STRONGER Patents Act says ‘enough is enough’ and ensures that patent rights are protected as a fundamental underpinning of our innovation economy. Like its companion bill in the Senate, the STRONGER Patents Act treats patents like any other property and permits injunctions to protect patent owners against infringement during and after court cases. It ensures fairness in Patent Office administrative proceedings, limiting repetitive and harassing challenges against inventors. And it ends the diversion of patent application fees to other government spending, ensuring the Patent Office has the funding it needs to grant high-quality patents without harmful delay.
“This legislation will help ensure that our patent system continues to serve as an engine for U.S. economic growth and job creation. The Innovation Alliance urges the House and the Senate to pass the STRONGER Patent Act and restore the U.S. to its position as the global leader in innovation.”
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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.innovationalliance.net.
Contact: Kat Maramba, 202-740-3069, Kathrina@BlueEngineMedia.com