AIPLA and IPO Issue Joint Letter to Congress Urging Action to Reduce Patent Backlog

In a joint letter, AIPLA and IPO urged Congress to ensure the USPTO has the resources and flexibility needed to address its patent application backlog, which has reached 826,000. The letter notes that timely patent examination is essential to US innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness, yet recent executive actions—such as a hiring freeze, return-to-office mandates, and employee buyouts—may impact the USPTO’s operations. Unlike other agencies, the USPTO is funded by user fees, not taxpayer dollars, and must retain resources to process applications efficiently. Restrictive policies could slow innovation, weaken IP protection, and harm US economic leadership. Secretary of Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick has acknowledged the urgency of reducing delays, and we support efforts to strengthen the USPTO’s capacity. AIPLA and IPO welcome the opportunity to work with Congress on legislative and administrative solutions that support American inventors and businesses.