On the recordJanuary 25, 2011
I rise to express support for the Patent Reform Act of 2011, S. 23, introduced today by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy. Senator Leahy and I, along with a number of our colleagues, have worked for years to enact much-needed reform to our Nation's patent system. Last Congress, the Managers' Amendment to the Patent Reform Act of 2009, S. 515, enjoyed strong bipartisan support for Senate floor consideration and passage; the momentum undoubtedly will continue under the leadership of Judiciary Committee Chairman Leahy and Ranking Minority Member Charles Grassley. Similarly, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith and Ranking Minority Member John Conyers are true partners in this important legislation. They share the same desire to streamline our patent system in a way that will improve the clarity and quality of patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, USPTO, which in return will provide greater confidence in their validity and enforcement. I have said this before, but it bears repeating: we must ensure that our patent system is as strong and vibrant as possible, not only to protect our country's premier position as the world leader in innovation, but also to secure our economic future. Patents encourage technological advancement by providing incentives to invent, invest in, and disclose new technology. Now, more than ever, it is important to ensure efficiency and increased quality in the issuance of patents.
