U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Funding

U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE FUNDING -- (House of Representatives - July 07, 2009)

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Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3114, a bill to promote the success and vitality of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, ``USPTO.''

The USPTO is integral in strengthening America's battered economy. Although there are those in this body that believe the federal government can spend our way out of the current financial crisis, this is a fallacy. It is through private commerce and investment that we will find the light at the end of the tunnel. For many sectors of our economy, patent protections provide tremendous incentive to invest.

The USPTO is already faced with a tremendous backlog of patent applications. A reduction in labor force at the USPTO would only compound this problem. It is for this reason that we must make sure that the USPTO is not forced to lay off or furlough patent examiners. Allowing the USPTO Director to use funds made available under the Trademark Act of 1946 will help to ensure this does not occur.

Innovation is the lifeblood of the U.S. economy. It is innovation which has and will continue to promote prosperity and wealth in the United States and aid in combating the recession in which we find ourselves today. I encourage my colleagues to support the USPTO and support this legislation.

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