In-House Counsel

Patent Reform Moving Rapidly Through Congress With a Broad Range of Supporters

Last week patent reform legislation took yet another step forward as the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Patent Reform Act of 2007. The bill had strong bipartisan support. Our Bay Area Congressional delegation led the way. Here are their own words--

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco correctly tied patent reform to our nation?s ability to innovate:

?The bipartisan patent reform bill is a significant step toward our Innovation Agenda. It will strengthen the patent system and improve patent quality. This legislation is crucial for American inventors and American ingenuity, for consumers, and for greater innovation and economic growth.?

Representative Zoe Lofgren of San Jose, one of the principal architects of the legislation, noted how the long legislative process had forged a quality, balanced product:

?I believe this bill strikes the right balance between the need for strong patent rights and the encouragement of innovation.?

Representative Anna Eshoo of Palo Alto was clear on what this meant for our economy:

?Patents and intellectual property are the cornerstone of the Information Economy. That?s why it?s essential that the U.S. patent system continues to foster ideas and innovation which fuel our economy and keeps America competitive.?

Full post as published by Cisco High Tech Policy Blog on September 14, 2007 (boomark / email).