Alliance of U.S. Startups & Inventors for Jobs
Advancing America's Innovation Ecosystem
We are the inventors, startups, and research institutions who develop revolutionary new technologies and products that drive economic growth and job creation. We are committed to promoting a strong intellectual property system that supports innovation, investment, and breakthrough technologies that change the world.
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Our Position
We Support Efforts to Strengthen the U.S. Patent System
USIJ advocates for reforms that strengthen patent rights, protect innovators, and ensure that startups can compete on a level playing field. Too often, weaknesses in the current system allow large incumbents to appropriate the IP of smaller, disruptive competitors. These practices discourage investment, stifle competition, and undermine America’s innovation ecosystem.
USIJ members are actively engaged in efforts to address these weaknesses and restore respect for IP. Our agenda is focused on two pillars: 1) ending the harm being done to our patent system, and 2) advancing policies to strengthen it.
We Believe U.S. Patents Matter
USIJ was founded with an understanding of the critical role IP plays in sustaining America’s innovation economy. For over 200 years, the U.S. patent system has empowered U.S.-based inventors, entrepreneurs, startups, and universities to lead the world in innovation that improves lives, provides economic opportunity, and addresses humanity’s toughest challenges.
USIJ members are catalysts for young, disruptive companies in critical sectors such as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, medical devices, and wireless communications. In these fields, it can take a decade of work and billions of dollars for a startup to succeed. Without a strong, reliable patent system to protect these investments, this high-stakes innovation is impossible to undertake.
Stop Harming the U.S. Patent System
USIJ is a leading voice against misguided proposals that threaten IP rights. We actively oppose:
Legislation that would undermine patent quality, validity, or enforceability. See USIJ comments here.
USPTO's proposed changes to terminal disclaimer practices and congressional efforts to weaken IP protections. See USIJ comments here.
Limiting the enforceability of standard essential patents. See USIJ comments here.
Start Healing the U.S. Patent System
USIJ has been instrumental in building bipartisan support for legislation that would strengthen America's innovation ecosystem, including:
Reforming the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to respect patent holders. See USIJ support for the PREVAIL Act.
Clarifying U.S. patent eligibility law through Senate testimony and comments. See USIJ support for the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA).
Restoring the presumption of injunctive relief for inventors. See USIJ support for the RESTORE Act.
Stop Harming the U.S. Patent System
USIJ is a leading voice against misguided proposals that threaten IP rights. We actively oppose:
Expanding the federal government's ability to "march-in" and reclaim patents from innovative companies.
USPTO's proposed changes to terminal disclaimer practices and congressional efforts to weaken IP protections.
Limiting the enforceability of standard essential patents.
Start Healing the U.S. Patent System
USIJ has been instrumental in building bipartisan support for legislation that would strengthen America's innovation ecosystem, including:
Reforming the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to respect patent holders.
Clarifying U.S. patent eligibility law through Senate testimony and comments.
Restoring the presumption of injunctive relief for inventors.
“Before the adoption of the United States Constitution, any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this; secured to the inventor, for a limited time, the exclusive use of his invention; and thereby added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius, in the discovery and production of new and useful things.”