South OC Times

Representatives Young Kim (CA-40), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), and U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) have announced the reintroduction of the Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement (IDEA) Act of 2024. This bipartisan legislation aims to address the disparate rates at which women, veterans, and other groups apply for patents in the United States by permitting the collection of relevant data.

The IDEA Act is set to be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee at its September 19th Executive Business Meeting.

“For America to lead in today’s innovative, dynamic economy, we need all of our best and brightest minds at the table. Unfortunately, Americans of different backgrounds can face barriers to making their ideas a reality,” said Rep. Young Kim. “The IDEA Act aims to help us bridge the opportunity gap and identify barriers to developing patents.”

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez added, “On the House Small Business Committee, I see every day how innovation and invention drive entrepreneurship and create greater opportunity. This legislation will drive better policy that ultimately helps more women, people of color, and other traditionally disadvantaged groups obtain patents for their inventions.”

Senator Thom Tillis emphasized the importance of inclusivity in innovation: “It is vitally important to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to innovate and seek to protect their innovations.” Senator Mazie K. Hirono echoed this sentiment: “In order for America to remain innovative and competitive on a global scale, we must include inventors from underrepresented groups across the country—such as women, veterans, and communities of color—in our patent system.”

The bill is also cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

Studies indicate that women and other underrepresented groups apply for patents at significantly lower rates than others. There is also a lack of data regarding servicemembers' use of the patent system. The IDEA Act seeks to fill these gaps by directing the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to collect demographic data from patent applicants on a voluntary basis.

“Passing the IDEA Act will help us get the information we need to expand our innovation talent pool and compete globally,” said Invent Together Executive Director Holly Fechner.

Karen Horting from the Society of Women Engineers stated, “This vital legislation will not only help bridge the gender gap in innovation but also empower women engineers.”

Stephen Susalka from AUTM highlighted that this legislation addresses underrepresentation among diverse inventors in the patent system.

Erik Iverson and Michael Falk from Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation stressed that better reporting on underrepresentation would aid in recognizing diverse talents.

Andrei Iancu noted that expanding American innovation geographically, demographically, and economically is crucial for leading technological development.

David Kappos remarked on protecting intellectual property rights across all backgrounds: “The IDEA Act is a much-needed reform that will help policymakers identify and address harmful disparities in the patent system.”

The full text of the IDEA Act is available online.