Lofgren Commends Reps. Conyers and Smith for Introducing Patent Reform Measure

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) released the following statement supporting the introduction of H.R. 5322 the Patent and Trademark Office Funding Stabilization Act, by Representatives John Conyers, Jr. and Lamar Smith.

May 19, 2010

I applaud Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member Smith for their efforts to give the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) the resources it urgently needs to address the backlog of patent applications. The bipartisan Patent and Trademark Office Funding Stabilization Act is a narrowly tailored measure that only focuses on fee setting authority, fee diversion, and temporary surcharges. While I continue to support efforts towards a larger patent reform package, I believe this narrow fix should be enacted as soon as possible so the USPTO has the resources it needs to reduce the backlog, improve the quality of patent examinations and streamline its operations.

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her eighth term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County. She is the Chair of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. She also serves as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. She Chairs the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and serves on the House Homeland Security Committee. Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.