The following statement is attributed to Kate Tummarello, Executive Director of Engine, regarding today’s introduction of the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2021.
Statement:
“Engine is proud to support the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2021, a bill that would expand startup access to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s resources and services. The legislation, introduced by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), would lower barriers to entry for underrepresented founders interested in seeking high-quality patents and enhance the PTO’s presence across the country so that the government can do an even better job of meeting innovators where they are at.”
Background:
The Unleashing American Innovators Act would build upon the success of the 2011 Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, further opening up access to the PTO with an express focus on supporting innovators and entrepreneurs that are currently underrepresented in the patent system. The legislation calls for the PTO to create a sixth regional office, in the Southeast U.S., and directs the agency to establish community outreach offices across the country—providing hubs through which the PTO can partner with community organizations and businesses to give support, education, and resources to (prospective) innovators. The legislation also calls for expansion and updates to the patent pro bono program, and for a pilot that would allow first-time prospective patent applicants to assess their applications before incurring the expense of prosecution. Finally, the legislation would reduce the amount of money startups and small businesses pay the PTO when filing an application.
It is critical that we expand the nation’s innovation ecosystems to be more diverse and inclusive. While the patent system is admittedly only a piece of that puzzle, the Unleashing American Innovators Act would help create a more diverse and inclusive patent system, and could be one step forward on the path to diversity gains in U.S. innovation more broadly.
