New research group to probe US patent plans

A new policy institute announced its presence among the power-brokers of Washington DC on 17 April. Set up and managed by a group of inventors, the Center for Patent Policy (CPP) is a think-tank with one simple mission statement: ‘To study how public policy can assist in maximising the benefit of invention to society.’

Dedicated to becoming the most respected source of information on USPTO actions and their impact upon industry, the CPP will also assess the domestic and foreign results of US patent policy in the fields of trade; development; labour; outsourcing and immigration. As well as publishing original research papers, it will speak to the media on breaking developments in patent legislation.

In a press release, CPP president, Glen Kotapish, said: ‘The Internet Age has accelerated patent filings and created a vibrant set of new issues and policy questions that are being debated about new patents. Can patents be too broad? What patents related to DNA should people be allowed to own? Are software patents too ambiguous? The mission of CPP is to objectively analyse each of these issues, and make policy recommendations in the best interest of all parties – particularly US economic interests.’

‘Patent policy harbours powerful issues for America's future,’ added law professor and CPP board advisor, Irving Kayton. ‘Invention is the underpinning of 80% of the US economy; globalisation has heightened our need to fully understand how changes to the innovation process would impact jobs, opportunity, and economic growth.’

The CPP will announce its first major research project later this month.