Federal Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra called on congress to pass the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act that would reform the patent system, a key part of President Obama’s Strategy for American Innovation.
A strong patent system is vital to all types of innovators – whether they are hobbyists, small business entrepreneurs, or team members within large industrial enterprises,” Chopra wrote. “The time-limited market exclusivity allowed by patents helps businesses raise funds to create jobs, invest in research and development, and launch new cutting-edge products and services.”
He continued, “At the same time, the disclosure requirements that accompany patent issuance ensure that others don’t waste time and resources reinventing the wheel but rather accelerate the Nation’s engine of ingenuity by taking inventions to the next level of sophistication and efficiency.”
Chopra also said that passage of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act would help boost patent quality, reduce the backlog of patent applications, and cut costs for American companies, along with providing greater certainty and consistency for innovators’ rights, reduce legal costs that often hinder small businesses as they develop their products, and make it easier for innovators to bring their inventions to the global marketplace.
“I am hopeful that the President will have the opportunity to sign this historic legislation this year, which would help unlock the potential of U.S. inventors to help America create quality jobs and out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world,” Chopra said.
