Letter to Speaker Hastert in support of H.R. 1561

September 22, 2003

Dear Mr. Speaker:

The United States Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region, supports H.R. 1561, the United States Patent and Trademark Fee Modernization Act of 2003, and efforts to eliminate fee diversion in the appropriations process. This legislation would increase application fees for new patents and trademarks and designate the additional revenue for use by the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO).

Intellectual property (IP) assets may represent as much as 70 percent of the market value of a typical U.S. company and IP-based enterprises represent almost five percent of the Gross Domestic Product. To better serve these companies, PTO has presented its 21st Century Strategic Plan, which seeks to enhance the quality of patent and trademark operations, control patent and trademark pendency, and implement e-government solutions. Industry strongly supports these initiatives.

Of specific interest to business is the provision in this bill eliminating the diversion of fees from PTO to unrelated programs. The private sector has long signaled its willingness to bear the financial burden of reforming PTO, but only if these additional revenues are earmarked for that purpose. An increase in fees, without the full implementation of reforms, would severely undermine the innovation and efficiency of American industry.

The Chamber urges you to support this legislation and oppose all efforts to divert funds from PTO during the appropriations process.

Sincerely,
R. Bruce Josten

cc: Representative Tom Delay, House Majority Leader
Representative Roy Blunt, House Majority Whip
Representative Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader
Representative Steny Hoyer, House Minority Whip
Representative Christopher Cox, Chairman, Republican Policy Committee
Representative Sue Myrick, Chairwoman, Republican Study Committee