The Internet Association thanks Reps. Eshoo (D-CA), Honda (D-CA), and Lofgren (D-CA) for their introduction of H.R. 2582, the “PATENT Jobs Act.” To curb abusive patent litigation that harms the economy and slows the pace of innovation, the Patent and Trademark Office must first ensure that it issues only valid, high-quality patents. Subjecting the PTO funds to sequestration threatens this core mission of the Office.
Unlike most other federal agencies and offices, the PTO funds its own operations through user fees. By ensuring that the PTO has full access to its own resources to conduct meaningful review of patent applications, the PATENT Jobs Act will reduce the number of vague, overbroad, or otherwise flawed patents granted by the PTO. More work needs to be done to solve the problem with abusive patent litigation, but this legislation makes an important contribution to that effort.
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