Franks Holds Patent Reform Roundtable

For Immediate Release
Contact: Bethany Haley or Ben Carnes at 202-225-4576

Franks Holds Patent Reform Roundtable

July 20, 2010 - Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02), Ranking Republican Member on the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, today held a roundtable luncheon to discuss various patent reform initiatives currently before the U.S. Congress. Franks, himself a patent holder, was joined at the roundtable discussion by other Members of Congress and representatives from companies such as Intel, 3M, IEEE, Innovation Alliance, and the Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform. Following the discussion, Franks released this statement:

"Much of America's unprecedented success in the past is directly attributable to a competitive, free-market system that has
encouraged entrepreneurship and ingenuity, leading to countless technological breakthroughs in every imaginable field. And the future of patent reform will ultimately determine whether America remains on the cutting edge of global technological development.

"The vital role of patents in incentivizing risk and driving our economy is even reflected in the U.S. Constitution. Article 1 gives Congress the important authority 'to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their Writings and Discoveries.'

"Unfortunately, as the importance of patents only increases, so too does the backlog of patent applications. Indeed, there are currently an astounding 1.2 million applications waiting to be reviewed. Congress must use our Constitutional authority to address these issues and improve the patent system, thereby growing our economy.

"Discussions like today's are important, allowing all sides to openly discuss their views on pending legislation, like the Patent Reform Act of 2009 (H.R. 1260/S. 515), that could significantly alter the way the patent system currently works.

"Despite some differences of opinion over the best approach to legislation such as the Patent Reform Act, I believe there is
unanimity from those on all sides of the debate that patents are a vital, driving force behind our uniquely successful economy, and that the system must be reformed to operate more fairly and more efficiently."

Congressman Franks is serving his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, Military Readiness Subcommittee, Committee on the Judiciary, Constitution Subcommittee, and is Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.