IBM wants swift passage of patent reform legislation
12 Oct 2009
IBM today called for swift passage of patent reform legislation, describing it as essential to enabling the nation's continued innovation leadership, bolstering US competitiveness in the global economy, and stimulating economic growth and job creation.
IBM affirmed its backing of the Patent Reform Act of 2009 (S. 515) just days after the Obama administration indicated its support for the bill, currently pending before the US Senate.
IBM believes that the compromises adopted by the senate judiciary committee in a bipartisan 15-4 vote in April strike a careful balance among various users of the US patent system.
IBM has lent its weight behind this compromise legislation to modernise patent laws in the US.
"Technology and the nature of innovation have changed dramatically over the last half-century, but our patent laws have not been significantly updated," said Robert Weber, senior vice president, legal and regulatory affairs and general counsel, IBM.
"We congratulate secretary Locke and the administration for their leadership in supporting S. 515 and we urge swift enactment of the patent reform legislation."
