OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Regarding Waiver of Patent And Trademark Requirements In Certain Emergencies

Date: Dec. 5, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Government Operations


REGARDING WAIVER OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK REQUIREMENTS IN CERTAIN EMERGENCIES -- (House of Representatives - December 05, 2006)

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Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I too rise in support of this legislation. H.R. 4742 has been reported favorably by the Committee on the Judiciary with no controversy.

What we are talking about today responds in part to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. We all know that among the hurricane's wide-ranging impact was the destruction of infrastructure and a legal maelstrom caused by judicially and statutorily imposed deadlines for filing documents and making payments. This also is the case with the patent law, which forces individuals and businesses to comply with statutory deadlines for patent and trademark filings in the midst of a natural disaster.

The measure before us is designed to alleviate that pressure by permitting the Patent and Trademark Office director to extend statutory deadlines during emergencies. This section provides an opportunity to aid innovators who, because of devastation, might lose rights to their inventions and creation.

I am pleased to join with those that urge the swift passage of H.R. 4742.

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