The Association of American Universities, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, AUTM, and Council on Governmental Relations today released the following statement regarding the introduction of the STRONGER Patents Act in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.
We thank Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Representatives Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Bill Foster (D-IL) for introducing the STRONGER Patents Act. This bipartisan, bicameral, and balanced legislation, introduced on July 10, is intended to stem abuses of the U.S. patent system while taking important steps to improve it. Universities and academic medical centers rely on robust, enforceable patents to ensure their research discoveries will be developed into products and innovative techniques that improve quality of life and fuel economic growth. This bill would protect and help ensure the success of this technology transfer process, which contributes significantly to our nation’s leadership in science and technology. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress, as well as with USPTO Director Andrei Iancu, toward our shared goals of reinforcing the strength of the U.S. patent system.
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Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU’s 62 research universities transform lives through education, research, and innovation. Our member universities earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for research that improves public health, seeks to address national challenges, and contributes significantly to our economic strength, while educating and training tomorrow’s visionary leaders and innovators. AAU member universities collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society. Follow AAU on Twitter, on Facebook , and on LinkedIn.
The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association dedicated to transforming health care through innovative medical education, cutting-edge patient care, and groundbreaking medical research. Its members are all 154 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 51 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and more than 80 academic societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC serves the leaders of America’s medical schools and teaching hospitals and their more than 173,000 full-time faculty members, 89,000 medical students, 129,000 resident physicians, and more than 60,000 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the biomedical sciences.
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With a membership of 237 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations, APLU's agenda is built on the three pillars of increasing degree completion and academic success, advancing scientific research, and expanding engagement. Annually, member campuses enroll 4.9 million undergraduates and 1.3 million graduate students, award 1.2 million degrees, employ 1.2 million faculty and staff, and conduct $43.9 billion in university-based research.
AUTM is the non-profit leader in efforts to educate, promote and inspire professionals to support the development of academic research that changes the world and drives innovation forward. The AUTM community is comprised of more than 3,000 members who work in more than 800 universities, research centers, hospitals, businesses and government organizations around the globe.
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) is an association of over 190 leading research universities and affiliated academic medical centers and independent research institutes. COGR concerns itself with the impact of federal regulations, policies, and practices on the performance of research conducted at its member institutions.