U.S. Chamber of Commerce Supports Patent Reform

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Supports Patent Reform

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today sent a letter to Members of the House of Representatives expressing support for the America Invents Act (H.R. 1249) saying, “this legislation is crucial for American economic growth, jobs and the future of U.S. competitiveness.” 

The Chamber praised the decision to shift the U.S. to a first-inventor-to-file system calling the provision both “constitutional and wise.” The Chamber also expressed support for the bill’s “important legal reforms that would help reduce unnecessary litigation against American businesses and owners.”

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) welcomed today’s letter from the Chamber of Commerce. 

Chairman Smith:  “Support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce underscores the need for patent reform to reinvigorate our economy and generate jobs for American workers.  The current patent system has become a barrier to innovation. America’s inventors and job creators spend years and millions of dollars defending their claims to patent ownership.  Meanwhile, our competitors are busy developing new products that expand their businesses and grow their economies. 

“Supporters of H.R. 1249 understand that the more time we waste on frivolous litigation, the less time we have for innovation.  H.R. 1249 encourages American innovators to develop new products that generate well-paying jobs and grow the economy. I look forward to working with the Chamber and all of our supporters, including industry leaders, independent inventors and academic institutions, to ensure enactment of this important legislation.”

A list of additional supporters can be found at: http://judiciary.house.gov/news/pdfs/SupportersHR%201249.pdf

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PDF Text: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Letter