President's Message

October 2016 -

My take-away is a bit different, however. The real engine driving innovation here is not the water and not the premier research institutions and not the cutting-edge companies—although our universities, teaching hospitals, and companies are truly innovative--but rather the patent system. And, of course, the great patent lawyers we have in our association. All of the inventors at the program discussed the importance of patents to protect their inventions. Their patents form the basis for companies that these inventors are starting. Their patents help attract venture capital to start and grow those companies. Without patents and the attorneys behind them, this innovation would surely decline. Don’t believe me? That was exactly the scenario in the 1970s, which was a decade of economic stagnation, high unemployment, and lime green polyester leisure suits. In particular, America lost its competitive edge, and indeed whole industries, to Europe and Asia. One of the most significant causes in this decline was a hostility to patents. Academia criticized patents. The courts never met a patent they liked: enforcing patent rights was exceedingly difficult, uncertain, and expensive. And the federal government’s overbroad enforcement of antitrust laws caused many companies to divest their patent portfolios. The end result of this attack upon patents was that , and, with it, R&D spending, new company formation, and product innovation. The trend reversed only with and its pro-patent philosophy in 1982. From that point, patent filings increased, R&D spending increased, venture capital increased, new industries arose . . . the economic and societal benefits went on and on. And we have you to thank for this blooming of innovation and progress. My year as the BPLA’s president has allowed me to meet and learn from more and more of you. The work you are doing in prosecuting and litigating patents and other intellectual property rights benefits not just your individual clients but society generally. Please remember to continue advocating for strong intellectual property rights. My term as president ends with the Annual Meeting on December 7 at the InterContinental Hotel. Of course, I still have some work to do before then, and you can expect some more great programs and learning opportunities in the next two months. But so far, I feel that this has been a very rewarding year. I hope that you feel the same. Remember, to keep the rewards coming, you must invent it here.