Move to Pittsburgh Would Create More Than 100 Jobs
Commerce Department Looking to Open New Patent Office – Pittsburgh Under Consideration
WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is urging the U.S. Commerce Department to choose Pittsburgh as the new location for a Patent and Trademark Office. The Commerce Department recently decided to open a new office, and Pittsburgh is a possible location after the city submitted an application to be considered.
“Pittsburgh’s first class workforce and burgeoning technology sector makes it the perfect location for a new Patent and Trademark Office,” Senator Casey said. “A Patent and Trademark Office in the heart of Pittsburgh would further solidify our city as a hub of innovation and attract entrepreneurs from across the state.”
A U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Pittsburgh would bring at least 100 jobs and boost the city’s already flourishing technology hub. For many years, the Pittsburgh region has been recognized for its strength in developing new and innovative technologies.
Groundbreaking discoveries being made at the region’s leading research institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, have made the region a hotbed for high-tech start-ups and successful partnerships between academia and industries that are regularly developing new products and technologies. The placement of a satellite patent office in the region would further foster these advances in a variety of sectors, including heath care, robotics, regenerative medicine, defense, computer science and life sciences.
In his letter to the Commerce Department, Senator Casey wrote, “With the strong foundation and partnerships of universities, industry and government entities, the City of Pittsburgh has the criteria necessary to support a USPTO satellite office.”
The full text of Senator Casey’s letter to the U.S Patent and Trademark Office Director is below:
Mr. David Kappos
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property
and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Dear Under Secretary Kappos:
It is my understanding the City of Pittsburgh has submitted an application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to establish a satellite office location in the city. The purpose of this letter is to express my support for this proposal and urge you to give it full and fair consideration.
For many years, the Pittsburgh region has been recognized for its strength in developing new and innovative technologies. Groundbreaking discoveries being made at the region’s leading research institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, have made the region a hotbed for high-tech start-ups and successful partnerships between academia and industries that are regularly developing new products and technologies. The placement of a satellite patent office in the region would further foster these advances in a variety of sectors, including heath care, robotics, regenerative medicine, defense, computer science, and life sciences.
In addition, the Pittsburgh region is historically known for research and development in the energy sector. The region is fortunate to be the home of the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Lab (NETL), which has been the hub of energy-related research and development. NETL has worked closely with universities and companies across the region to promote new technologies in energy-related industries such as coal and natural gas. As development of the Marcellus Shale gas formation, which was first researched and tested through the NETL lab, continues to expand, the region has seen a new growth of related products.
With the strong foundation and partnerships of universities, industry and government entities, the City of Pittsburgh has the criteria necessary to support a USPTO satellite office. Thank you in advance for the consideration of my views. Please include this letter in the official record of the application. Consistent with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, I also respectfully request that you keep me informed of the status of this application.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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