This last matter is of special interest to me since Vermont is the last State to the Union to be getting a patent depository library. I have long thought that electronic access should be more widespread and want to work with the Patent and Trademark Organization to ensure the effective implementation of statewide electronic accessibility of patent information in rural states and eventually in all areas to make it easier for inventors to study prior art and make further advances. I noted at our hearing earlier this month that Vermont has a great tradition of Yankee ingenuity. In fact, the very first United States patent was granted to Samuel Hopkins, a native of Pittsford, Vermont, who discovered a process for making potash. Those early patent were awarded by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who made his own contributions to our national tradition of inventiveness.
Inventors can be individuals in a shop, garage or home lab.
They can be teams of scientists working in our largest corporations or at our colleges and universities. All are encouraged by patents and should have their inventiveness rewarded and protected. We want to be sure that our patent laws are fair to all our inventors and strike the proper balance to benefit the public. The United States currently enjoys the most successful patent system in the world. To keep it that way, we cannot ignore the economic reality driving some of our fastest growing industries.