Letter to Director David Kappos, United States Patent and Trademark Office Headquarters

Letter

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today praised the decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish a new regional patent office in California.

"Innovation is the backbone of the American economy," Senator Boxer said. "This new office in Silicon Valley will help our companies protect their inventions and create jobs in California."

Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, along with members of the California congressional delegation, sent a letter to U.S. Patent Office Director David Kappos in November of last year suggesting California as a destination for one of the new Regional Patent Offices.

Patents are a driving force in American job creation. In fact, a U.S. Commerce Department report found that IP-intensive industries are the direct or indirect source of 40 million jobs, contributing $5.06 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2010.

The new offices will employ IP experts throughout the country who will work with entrepreneurs to process patent applications, reduce the backlog of unexamined patents, and streamline the overall process, allowing businesses to move their innovation to market more quickly, and giving them more room to create new jobs.

The text of the Senators' letter follows:

November 2, 2011

Director David Kappos
USPTO Headquarters - Main Campus Address
Madison Buildings (East & West)
600 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Dear Director David Kappos:

We are writing today as a bi-partisan group of Members from California to urge that you consider our state as the next home for a satellite patent and trademark office. California serves as a strategic location for a United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) satellite office with its leadership in the development and receipt of patents.

In 2010, California received 30,080 patents, representing 25% percent of all patents granted in the United States. California's patent production stands well above the pack. For comparison, the second highest patent recipient New York received 8,095 patents, which represents roughly a quarter of the total granted in California. We are hopeful that having a satellite office in California will make it easier and less expensive for the state's inventors to go through the patent application process.

Additionally, our state's economy is built on a deep foundation of top R&D universities and labs that encourages a strong and vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. California is home to a density of leading high tech and biotech companies and remains the venture capital leader of the nation.

In addition, the roughly 500,000 patents granted to California recipients over the last few decades alone justifies locating a local patent and trademark office in the state. Bringing a satellite office to California close to our multitude of innovations and inventors is good for business and will further California's worldwide reputation as a hub of technological innovation. We look forward to working closely with you as the agency implements its process to select strategically located satellite offices and we urge your consideration of our request.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

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