Washington, D.C. – The Innovation Alliance began 2008 with the issuance of a statement praising Congress and the Administration for fully funding the Patent and Trademark Office for 2008.

Innovation is the fuel that drives the American economy today and it will propel American productivity and prosperity in the years to come. Strong intellectual property protection is an absolute prerequisite for that innovation; and, quality patents are a prerequisite for strong intellectual property protection. In the face of significant budget challenges that saw many federal agencies’ funding cut or held stagnant, Congress’s choice to fully fund the PTO at the levels requested by the Administration demonstrates the value that our government leadership places on strong, high-quality patents to America’s continued innovation.

We are hopeful Congress will continue to exhibit the same prudence with regard to patents on its return later this month. Continued improvements in patent quality and pendency are areas in which all parties can agree that policy efforts ought to remain focused. At the same time, it is crucial that patent protections not be weakened under the guise of reform. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress and the PTO to keep America’s patent system the strongest in the world.

Under the budget bill passed in the final days before Congress recessed for the holidays and signed by the President in late December, the Patent and Trademark Office will receive the full amount initially requested by the Bush administration -- $1.9 billion – a $200 million increase from fiscal 2007. The Patent Reform Act of 2007, a controversial bill which, in its current form, would weaken patent protection for the nation’s innovators, passed the United States House of Representatives by a narrow vote and is awaiting attention in the U.S. Senate.