ACT is pleased to see the administration advocating for additional funds for the Patent and Trademark Office. For many years, this self-funding agency has seen its critical resources diverted away to other agencies. With a growing patent backlog, and technical assistance needed by examiners evaluating rapidly evolving technologies, the decision to restore PTO funding is the right one. To improve patent quality, we have to start at the front end. This investment will help reduce overly broad patents that are used as a weapon against startups and small tech companies.
