Innovation Alliance Statement on U.S. Falling to 12th Place in U.S. Chamber of Commerce International Ranking of Patent System Strength
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Innovation Alliance Executive Director Brian Pomper today issued the following statement in response to the release of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center’s 2018 International IP Index, which showed the U.S. falling to 12th place in its ranking of patent system strength:
“The alarm bells continue to ring. The Chamber’s 2018 International IP Index is the latest evidence that harmful congressional actions and court decisions have dangerously weakened the U.S. patent system, the central foundation of our innovation economy. Last year, the U.S. dropped to 10th place in this ranking, marking the first time that the U.S. was not ranked #1. This year, the U.S. fell even further, to 12th place, and is now tied with Italy and behind countries such as South Korea and Spain.
“According to the Chamber’s report, the U.S. has dropped in its ranking primarily due the excessive cost and uncertainty for U.S. innovators created by the America Invents Act’s inter partes review process, as well as recent Supreme Court decisions that have created confusion over what can and cannot be patented. The Chamber notes that these decisions ‘seriously undermine the longstanding world-class innovation environment in the U.S. and threaten the nation’s global competitiveness.’
“This disturbing ranking follows warning signs in similar measures, including the recently-released Bloomberg Innovation Index, which showed the U.S. falling out of the top 10 most innovative countries for the first time. The U.S. must reassert its position as an international leader in innovation with smart fixes like the bipartisan STRONGER Patents Act, which would strengthen patent protections. We must not stand by as the U.S. continues to struggle and slip behind global competitors. We must act to ensure our patent system continues to serve as an engine for U.S. innovation and job creation.”
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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