The Senate Judiciary Committee has moved forward with the Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement (IDEA) Act of 2024, a legislative proposal from U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Thom Tillis. The bill aims to gather data on the different rates at which various groups, including women and veterans, apply for patents in the United States. It now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
Senator Hirono emphasized the importance of inclusivity in innovation: "In order for America to remain innovative and competitive on a global scale, it is crucial that our country offers support to inventors from every background so that members of underrepresented groups are included in our patent system," she stated. She expressed satisfaction that the IDEA Act is progressing towards becoming law, as it will provide insights into who is applying for patents.
Senator Tillis highlighted the necessity of equal opportunities for all inventors: "Inventors come from all backgrounds and walks of life," he said. "It's crucial that we ensure they all have an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed."
The legislation also has backing from several other senators, including Dick Durbin, Chuck Grassley, Chris Coons, Richard Blumenthal, Alex Padilla, and Amy Klobuchar.
Research indicates that women and other underrepresented groups apply for patents less frequently than others. There is also insufficient data regarding servicemembers' and veterans' use of the patent system. The IDEA Act seeks to address these gaps by instructing the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to collect demographic information such as gender, military or veteran status, and race from patent applicants voluntarily. The USPTO would be required to publish reports on this data and make it publicly accessible for further analysis.
The full text of the bill can be accessed online.