Chamber pushing Huntsville for regional patent/trademark office

HUNTSVILLE – Using smart people logic, if the government wants to put a patent office in this part of the country, shouldn’t they put it where there is a large presence of inventors, entrepreneurs, scientists and pioneers?

The Unleashing American Innovators Act signed into law Dec. 29, calls for further expansion of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

One of the directives is to establish a Southeast Regional Office within three years of the law’s enactment.

And the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is sponsoring an effort to get the public involved in lobbying for Huntsville to host a regional patent office.

Just thinking out loud here, but shouldn’t it be where there is tremendous population growth in all the industry sectors that attract inventors – technology, manufacturing, science, and engineering?

Shouldn’t it be centralized across the region and at a crossroads for Southeast?

Let’s just say it: The office should be in a city that is known for getting things done; that has strong city and business leadership; that has never shied away from solving complex problems; that is accustomed to doing work with the government; and a city of people who, when they see a need, they seek to fill it without hesitation.

Companies such as Adtran, Leidos/Dynetics, CFD Research and Northrop Grumman have dozens, hundreds, even thousands of patents. Not to mention, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of patents by residents of North Alabama.

Of course Huntsville should be in the running!

As part of the process, the USPTO is asking for public comments on prospective locations for the new regional headquarters.

Here is your chance to share your thoughts about why Huntsville is the best location for the SERO headquarters.

Click here to fill out the form* with your comments and feel free to share the link with co-workers and colleagues to invite them to make additional comments.

Deadline for comments is July 17.

*Note: On the form, fill out your contact information and click “yes” to make comments in the section about the Southeast Regional Office. That will open the comment fields. Click “Submit” at the bottom of the form.