Joint Statement on H.R. 9 from AAU, APLU, BIO, IA, MDMA, NSBA, NVCA, PhRMA, SBTC, and USIJ

The Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities (APLU), the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the Innovation Alliance (IA), the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA), the National Small Business Association (NSBA), the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the Small Business Technology Council (SBTC) and the Alliance of U.S. Startups and Inventors for Jobs (USIJ) released the following joint statement on H.R. 9, the Innovation Act, which could be considered on the House floor as soon as the week of July 6:

 “Together, our organizations represent a broad coalition of universities, inventors, manufacturing, technology and life science companies, small businesses, venture capitalists and startup communities.  We stand united in our continued opposition to H.R. 9, the Innovation Act, as it is currently drafted.  The bill needs significant work and should not be considered for floor action in the House of Representatives in its current form.  As drafted, H.R. 9 would dramatically weaken intellectual property rights and undermine a patent system that is vital to incentivizing innovation and job creation in our country.  The bill also fails to adequately address abusive practices against legitimate patent owners.  We urge House members to meaningfully revise H.R. 9 to target abuses of patent trolls without damaging our nation’s entire innovation ecosystem.”

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Association of American Universities
The Association of American Universities (AAU) is an association of 60 U.S. and two Canadian public and private research universities. It focuses on issues such as funding for research, research policy issues, and graduate and undergraduate education. AAU member universities are on the leading edge of innovation, scholarship, and solutions that contribute to the nation’s economy, security, and wellbeing. AAU’s 60 U.S. universities award nearly one-half of all U.S. doctoral degrees and 55 percent of those in STEM fields.

Association of Public & 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 238 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.

Biotechnology Industry Organization
BIO is the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. Corporate members range from entrepreneurial companies developing a first product to Fortune 500 multinationals. We also represent state and regional biotech associations, service providers to the industry, and academic centers. Our members help foster a healthy economy by creating good-paying, biotechnology jobs.

Innovation Alliance
The Innovation Alliance represents innovators, patent owners and stakeholders from a diverse range of industries that believe in the critical importance of maintaining a strong patent system that supports innovative enterprises of all sizes. Innovation Alliance members can be found in large and small communities across the country, helping to fuel the innovation pipeline and drive the 21st century economy.

Medical Device Manufacturers Association
The Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA) is a national trade association based in Washington, DC providing educational and advocacy assistance to innovative and entrepreneurial medical technology companies. Since 1992, MDMA has been the voice for smaller companies, playing a proactive role in helping to shape policies that impact the medical device innovator. MDMA’s mission is to promote public health and improve patient care through the advocacy of innovative, research-driven medical device technology.

National Small Business Association
Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2012, NSBA continues to advocate on behalf of America’s entrepreneurs. A staunchly nonpartisan organization, NSBA’s 65,000 members represent every state and every industry in the U.S. We are proud to be the nation’s first small-business advocacy organization. NSBA is a uniquely member-driven organization, led by small-business owners from across the country who are extremely active in small-business issues locally, regionally and nationally. NSBA serves as an umbrella group for various local, state and regional small-business groups with whom we are proud to be affiliated and working toward one common small-business goal.

National Venture Capital Association
Venture capitalists are committed to funding America’s most innovative entrepreneurs, working closely with them to transform breakthrough ideas into emerging growth companies that drive U.S. job creation and economic growth. As the voice of the U.S. venture capital community, the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) empowers its members and the entrepreneurs they fund by advocating for policies that encourage innovation and reward long-term investment. As the venture community’s preeminent trade association, NVCA serves as the definitive resource for venture capital data and unites its nearly 400 members through a full range of professional services.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
PhRMA, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, represents the country’s leading biopharmaceutical researchers and biotechnology companies. Our members are committed to finding tomorrow’s cures and treatments for some of the most serious diseases such as Cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis and Parkinson’s. New medicines are an integral part of the healthcare system, providing doctors and their patients with safe and effective treatment options, extending and improving quality of life.

Small Business Technology Council
The Small Business Technology Council is a non-partisan, non-profit industry association of companies dedicated to promoting the creation and growth of research-intensive, technology-based U.S. small business. SBTC advocates on behalf of the 6,100 currently involved Small Business Innovation Research award winners.  SBIR winners have received about 120,000 US patents, win about 25% of America’s R&D 100 awards, have produced 11 Nobel Prize winners, and have been involved in over 1800 M&A transactions.

Alliance of U.S. Startups and Inventors for Jobs
The Alliance of U.S. Startups and Inventors for Jobs (USIJ) is a group of nearly 50 inventive startups, inventors, investors and entrepreneurs. Collectively, we have launched dozens of companies in areas ranging from biotechnology to medical devices and wireless technology. We invent real things and create real companies. We also rely on the strength of the U.S. patent system to create these companies, breakthroughs and jobs.

Press Contacts:

  • Association of American Universities (AAU): Barry Toiv, 202-408-7500, barry.toiv@aau.edu 
  • Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities (APLU): Jeff Lieberson, 202-478-6073, jlieberson@aplu.org
  • Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO): George Goodno, 202-962-6660, ggoodno@bio.org
  • Innovation Alliance (IA): Jaime Horn, 202-827-7859, jaime@blueenginemedia.com
  • Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA): Brendan Benner, 202-354-7172, bbenner@medicaldevices.org
  • National Small Business Association (NSBA): Molly Brogan Day, 202-552-2904, mday@nsba.biz
  • National Venture Capital Association (NVCA): Ben Veghte, 202-864-5923, bveghte@nvca.org
  • Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA): Mark Grayson, 202-835-3465, mgrayson@phrma.org
  • Small Business Technology Council (SBTC): Robert Schmidt, 216-374-7237, rschmidt@clevemed.com
  • Alliance of U.S. Startups and Inventors for Jobs (USIJ): Chris Israel, 202-327-8100, israel@acg-consultants.com
Statements & ReleasesUSIJ