Hatch Talks on Senate Floor about his Patent Reform Bill

Press Release

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) spoke today in support of The America Invents Act of 2011, saying the bill he and Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) have introduced will update our nation's antiquated patent laws, create jobs, strengthen the economy and foster more innovation.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Hatch noted the nation's patent system has not undergone meaningful reform in more than half a century.

"I am not going to spend my time today on a history lesson," Hatch said. "Instead, I urge you to consider not the past, but to look forward to the future. And that future starts with examining our present. The nation's current economic situation requires that we take advantage of our ingenuity that has made America the economic envy of the world.

"Patent reform is more than words on paper; it's about jobs and the positive impact they have upon our economy …," Hatch continued. "While we debate this important legislation, it is crucial that we keep the creation of jobs and economic prosperity at forefront of our thoughts."

Hatch said the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office currently has a backlog of 700,000 patent applications.

This "patent backlog also represents dynamic economic growth waiting to be unleashed. We cannot afford to go down this path any longer. We must take advantage of this opportunity to expand our economy," the senator said.

The comprehensive patent reform bill cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee by unanimous vote on Feb. 3 and is now under consideration by the full Senate.

Hatch's complete prepared remarks on the Senate floor follow:

Mr. President, I rise today to express my support for the pending patent reform legislation before us. As many of you know several of my colleagues and I have been working together on this bill for several Congresses. I especially want to recognize the ongoing efforts of Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy.

Over the years, he and I have worked tirelessly to bring about long-overdue reform to our nation's patent system. I also want to recognize the efforts of the Judiciary Committee Ranking Member, Chuck Grassley, as well as many of my Senate colleagues who have been instrumental in forging the compromise before us today.

Similarly, no enumeration would be complete without recognizing the considerable work done by our colleagues in the House of Representatives. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith has been a leader on patent reform legislation for many years. His vision, expertise, and leadership are highly respected and appreciated by me, my colleagues, and many throughout the patent community.

I also want to specifically acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Representatives John Conyers, Howard Berman, Bob Goodlatte, Howard Coble, Darrell Issa, and Zoe Lofgren. They have been stalwarts in underscoring the vital need to reform our patent system. I look forward to seeing the results of their process and working with them to complete this important task.

Most of us are very familiar with the history of patent legislation, but it bears repeating that we have not had meaningful reform to our patent system in over half a century. I am not going to spend my time today on a history lesson. Instead, I urge you to consider not the past, but to look forward to the future. And that future starts with examining our present. The nation's current economic situation requires that we take advantage of our ingenuity that has made America the economic envy of the world.

For me, it's pretty simple: patent reform is more than words on paper; it's about jobs and the positive impact they have upon our economy. Chairman Leahy understands this connection and has wisely named the bill, The America Invents Act of 2011. While we debate this important legislation, it is crucial that we keep the creation of jobs and economic prosperity at forefront of our thoughts.

After all, patents encourage technological advancement by providing incentives to invent, invest in, and disclose new technology. Now, more than ever, we must ensure efficiency and increased quality in the issuance of patents. This in turn will create an environment that fosters entrepreneurship and the creation of new jobs; thereby contributing to growth within all sectors of our economy.

If you think about it, one single deployed patent has a ripple effect that works like this: A properly examined patent, promptly issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, creates jobs -- jobs that are dedicated to developing and producing new products and services. Unfortunately, the current USPTO backlog now exceeds 700,000 applications. The sheer volume of patent applications not only reflects the vibrant, innovative spirit that has made America a world-wide leader in science, engineering, and technology, but the patent backlog also represents dynamic economic growth waiting to be unleashed. We cannot afford to go down this path any longer. We must take advantage of this opportunity to expand our economy.

During consideration of the American Invents Act, I encourage my colleagues to be mindful that legislation is rarely without its imperfections -- and we have a tremendous chance here to take much-needed action.

To those who believe otherwise, rest assured my intent is to do no harm. But, I want the legislative process to move forward -- it is long overdue. I urge my colleagues to participate in the debate and vote upon the amendments they think will strengthen the bill.

There are some proposals that I believe merit serious consideration by us all.

At the end of the day, the passage of this bill will update our patent system, help strengthen our economy, and provide a spring board for further improvements to our intellectual property laws.

I have every confidence that we can come together and act in a bipartisan manner. The stakes are simply too high for us not to seize this moment.

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