FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                      
June 18, 2009 

Contact: Eric Thomas
202-822-9491; ethomas@fratelli.com

Innovation Alliance Congratulates David Kappos on Nomination to be Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

WASHINGTON, DC – The Innovation Alliance, a coalition of small and medium-sized technology companies seeking to enhance America’s innovation environment by improving the quality of patents and protecting the integrity of the U.S. patent system, today congratulated President Obama’s nomination of David J. Kappos as the next Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO).

Innovation Alliance Statement:

We congratulate Mr. Kappos on his nomination.  We look forward to working with him in what will be a very difficult, but important effort to revitalize the PTO, which all agree is under funded and overburdened.

Innovation Alliance members believe that to best promote innovation, Congress should provide PTO the funds it needs to upgrade its technology, improve the patent application process, and attract and retain professional talent.

We are eager to work with Mr. Kappos, the Administration and Congress in achieving these goals, and making sure that our nation's strong patent protections continue to work for all sectors of the U.S. economy.  We urge the Senate to move forward with a speedy confirmation.