Friday, February 10, 2012

Hatch Calls For Patent Office Changes

October 14, 2009

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, on Wednesday called for Congress to "act in the best interest of the economy" and Patent Trademark Office users by permanently ending fee diversion at the agency. Such a change would let the PTO set fees and recover costs, which Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and PTO Director David Kappos have said would better address the agency's operational funding needs in a time of economic uncertainty.

Hatch's remarks came at a ceremony recognizing the PTO's grant of the 600,000th design patent to Goal Zero, a subsidiary of Provo Craft and Novelty, and a small business located in his home state. The patent was issued for the design of a battery system, which works in conjunction with a solar briefcase that recharges in the sun.

Lawmakers should improve the quality of patents at the front end so as to avoid costly and counterproductive litigation that stifles innovation at the back end, Hatch added. "Improving patent quality and reducing litigation uncertainty are the central tenets of the bipartisan congressional mandate for patent reform," he said, arguing that consensus is possible "but it will take willing partners from within Congress, the administration, and the patent community."

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Juliana Gruenwald

Tech Writer

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Juliana Gruenwald has been covering tech and telecom issues for more than a decade for National Journal, Interactive Week, BNA and Congressional Quarterly. This is her second stint with National Journal. She was recruited by NJ in 1998 to help launch its first tech policy publication, Technology Daily. She left in 2000 to cover international tech and telecom issues for Ziff Davis Media's Interactive Week magazine. She started her career at United Press International as the wire service's first Helen Thomas Intern. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. A Minneapolis native, she misses the lakes but not the cold.


Josh Smith

Tech Reporter

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Josh Smith covers technology policy as a staff reporter for National Journal. He previously interned at National Journal Daily, a Senate press office, and the Deseret News in Salt Lake City where he covered the state legislature, courts, and crime. In 2009 he graduated with honors from Southern Utah University after managing an award-winning student newspaper as editor-in-chief. Josh has received state, regional and national awards for his political and policy reporting, including first place in CapitolBeat’s 2009 Best of Statehouse Reporting college competition. A native of drop-dead-gorgeous Utah, Josh lives in Virginia with his wife, Amber.