International Trade: Federal Action Needed to Help Small Businesses Address Foreign Patent Challenges

In July 2002, GAO issued "International Trade: Federal Action Needed to Help Small Businesses Address Foreign Patent Challenges" (GAO-02-789). In this report, GAO recommended that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) obtain input from small businesses, experts in global patent issues, and other interested parties in order to assess the advantages and disadvantages of various options for achieving additional patent law harmonization. The Under Secretary and Director, USPTO, informed Representatives Waxman, Manzullo, and Burton, as well as Senators Bond, Thompson, and Lieberman, in writing that, consistent with the GAO recommendation, USPTO would seek comments from small businesses, experts in global patent issues, and other interested parties on additional harmonization of patent laws. A request for comment appeared on October 28, 2002, in the Federal Register (Volume 67, Number 208); comments could be provided in writing or at USPTO-hosted roundtables. A round table meeting was held on December 19, 2002, in Arlington, VA. Participants represented small businesses, major intellectual property and trade associations, intellectual property law firms, and one law school. They provided a range of views on the benefits or disadvantages of patent harmonization for small businesses and addressed questions on the obstacles that small businesses face in patenting abroad and the domestic actions that can be taken to help small businesses protect their intellectual property overseas.

In July 2002, we recommended that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), with assistance from the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), collect and make available information about key aspects of foreign patent laws, requirements, procedures, and costs that would be useful to small businesses that are considering whether to obtain foreign patent protection (International Trade: Federal Action Needed to Help Small Businesses Address Foreign Patent Challenges, GAO-02-789, July 17, 2002). In response to our recommendation, these agencies have undertaken efforts to educate small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) about protecting their intellectual property in the U.S. and abroad and have made information about intellectual property protection, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights, more easily available to small businesses. In 2005, USPTO launched its Intellectual Property Awareness Campaign, under which it has so far conducted eight intellectual property seminars and training conferences to SME businesses around the country to educate them on obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights in the United States and in other countries. These training sessions cover key aspects of foreign patent laws and procedures. USPTO has also conducted several seminars around the country on obtaining and entering intellectual property rights in China and many SME businesses have attended. USPTO also added a section to its website that is specifically designed for small businesses, providing information on fundamental aspects of U.S. and foreign intellectual property protection. In 2006, SBA, in cooperation with the Department of Commerce, trained staff at its U.S. Export Assistance Centers and Small Business Development Centers on intellectual property protection so that these facilities could better advise small business clients on these issues. It is also working with Commerce to develop free on-line training on intellectual property for small businesses. In addition, SBA added a link to its website to connect small businesses to an executive branch website, sponsored by multiple agencies, that contains information on intellectual property protection in the U.S. and overseas.

In July 2002, we recommended that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), with assistance from the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), collect and make available information about key aspects of foreign patent laws, requirements, procedures, and costs that would be useful to small businesses that are considering whether to obtain foreign patent protection (International Trade: Federal Action Needed to Help Small Businesses Address Foreign Patent Challenges, GAO-02-789, July 17, 2002). In response to our recommendation, these agencies have undertaken efforts to educate small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) about protecting their intellectual property in the U.S. and abroad and have made information about intellectual property protection, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights, more easily available to small businesses. In 2005, USPTO launched its Intellectual Property Awareness Campaign, under which it has so far conducted eight intellectual property seminars and training conferences to SME businesses around the country to educate them on obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights in the United States and in other countries. These training sessions cover key aspects of foreign patent laws and procedures. USPTO has also conducted several seminars around the country on obtaining and entering intellectual property rights in China and many SME businesses have attended. USPTO also added a section to its website that is specifically designed for small businesses, providing information on fundamental aspects of U.S. and foreign intellectual property protection. In 2006, SBA, in cooperation with the Department of Commerce, trained staff at its U.S. Export Assistance Centers and Small Business Development Centers on intellectual property protection so that these facilities could better advise small business clients on these issues. It is also working with Commerce to develop free on-line training on intellectual property for small businesses. In addition, SBA added a link to its website to connect small businesses to an executive branch website, sponsored by multiple agencies, that contains information on intellectual property protection in the U.S. and overseas.