Coalition Statement on Patent Reform Legislation in the U.S. Senate

Washington, D.C. – The following statement is from Gary Griswold, President and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, 3M Innovative Properties Company, and Chairman of the Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform.

“Chairman Leahy, Senator Specter and many others on the Committee have worked diligently on the Patent Reform Bill. We appreciate their efforts and willingness to try to find common ground on a complex set of issues. Although that goal has yet to be achieved, our hope is that a consensus bill can yet be forged that all Senators and stakeholders can support. In that regard, we pledge to continue to work toward meaningful reforms that strengthen our nation’s leadership in innovation and the world-wide patent system.”

The coalition has nearly 50 members and includes many of the nation’s leading manufacturers and researchers. The coalition’s steering committee includes, 3M, Caterpillar, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly and Procter & Gamble. The coalition has members in a variety of industry sectors including: Aerospace and Defense, Chemical, Computers, Diversified Financials, Diversified Technology, Energy, Food Production, Forest & Paper Products, Health Care, Household & Personal Products, Industrial Equipment, Medical Equipment & Devices, Network & Communications, Payroll Services, Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology, Semiconductors & Electronic Components, and Transportation Equipment.