Originally Published MX March/April 2004

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

Legislation to restructure funding for the patent office
will help ensure adequate review and protection of medtech intellectual properties.

Benjamin H. Wallfisch

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) serves a critical role for medtech companies. A healthy and predictable patent review system is essential for the medical device industry. Innovators need to be able to protect their inventions, and patent and trademark reviews must be thorough and timely.

Benjamin H. Wallfisch is policy director of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA; Washington, DC). MDMA has joined with other organizations in the 21st Century Intellectual Property Coalition to encourage Congress to address the issue of patent fee diversion.