California Delegation Calls on PTO to Open Office in CA

Washington, D.C. - Today, a bipartisan group of members of Congress from California sent a letter to the Director of the Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) calling for the opening of a satellite office in California. In 2010, California generated 30,080 patents, representing 25% percent of all patents granted in the United States, and over four times more than any other state.  

Full text of letter:

November 2, 2011  

Director David Kappos
USPTO Headquarters -
Main Campus Address Madison Buildings (East & West)
600 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Dear Director David Kappos:

We are writing today as a bi-partisan group of Members from California to urge that you consider our state as the next home for a satellite patent and trademark office. California serves as a strategic location for a United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) satellite office with its leadership in the development and receipt of patents.  

In 2010, California received 30,080 patents, representing 25% percent of all patents granted in the United States. California's patent production stands well above the pack. For comparison, the second highest patent recipient New York received 8,095 patents, which represents roughly a quarter of the total granted in California. We are hopeful that having a satellite office in California will make it easier and less expensive for the state’s inventors to go through the patent application process. 

Additionally, our state's economy is built on a deep foundation of top R&D universities and labs that encourages a strong and vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. California is home to a density of leading high tech and biotech companies and remains the venture capital leader of the nation. In addition, the roughly 500,000 patents granted to California recipients over the last few decades alone justifies locating a local patent and trademark office in the state.  

Bringing a satellite office to California close to our multitude of innovations and inventors is good for business and will further California’s worldwide reputation as a hub of technological innovation. We look forward to working closely with you as the agency implements its process to select strategically located satellite offices and we urge your consideration of our request. 

Sincerely,

List of Signers in Alphabetical Order:

U.S. Senators
Barbara Boxer
Dianne Feinstein

U.S House of Representatives
Joe Baca
Karen Bass
Xavier Becerra
Howard Berman
Brian Bilbray
Mary Bono-Mack
Ken Calvert
Lois Capps
Dennis Cardoza
Judy Chu
Jim Costa
Susan Davis
Jeff Denham
David Dreier
Anna G. Eshoo
Sam Farr
Bob Filner
Elton Gallegly
John Garamendi
Janice Hahn
Wally Herger
Mike Honda
Duncan Hunter
Darrell Issa
Barbara Lee
Jerry Lewis
Zoe Lofgren
Doris Matsui
Kevin McCarthy
Buck McKeon
Jerry McNerney
George Miller
Grace Napolitano
Devin Nunes
Laura Richardson
Dana Rohrabacher
Lucille Roybal-Allard
Linda Sanchez
Loretta Sanchez
Adam Schiff
Brad Sherman
Jackie Speier
Pete Stark
Mike Thompson
Maxine Waters
Henry Waxman
Lynn Woolsey

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her ninth term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County. Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.