Should Training About Intellectual Property Protections be Available to Small Businesses? (H.R. 2655)

What is H.R. 2655?

(Updated April 22, 2019)

This bill  ― the Small Business Innovation Act ― would look to improve small businesses’ awareness of domestic and international intellectual property rights protections. It’d require the the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) to enter into a partnership to develop electronic and in-person intellectual property training programs for small businesses and to leverage existing training materials to educate investors and small businesses.

Services provided at a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) would be required to include training developed by the SBA and USPTO in person or through a website about:

• Domestic and international property protections;

• How such protections should be considered in business plans and growth strategies of small business concerns.

Argument in favor

Small businesses need to be aware of domestic and international intellectual property protections to keep their businesses’ competitive edge, so the Small Business Administration & Patent and Trademark Office should provide related training.

Argument opposed

While intellectual property protections are of vital importance to small businesses, it’s not the responsibility of the Small Business Administration or Patent and Trademark Office to make relevant training materials available.

Impact

Small businesses; the SBA; and the USPTO.

Cost of H.R. 2655

The CBO estimates that enacting this bill would have no impact on the federal deficit.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) introduced this bill to help small businesses protect their intellectual property by requiring the SBA & USPTO to make training materials available to small businesses:

“Our small business owners and entrepreneurs are the engines that drive people to live, grow and succeed in our neighborhoods. We know that our small business community faces increasing cyber threats in our ever changing and evolving global economy,” said Congressman Evans. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues to see this vital, bipartisan legislation that equips our small business owners and entrepreneurs with the resources they need to keep their businesses safe, secure and protected become one step closer to become law. I will continue to set forth legislation that allows our small businesses and SBDC’s to continue to thrive and prosper. I look forward to working with my colleagues to see these important bills enacted into law.”

Original cosponsor Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) added:

“Small businesses rely on intellectual property rights like patents, trademarks, and copyrights to protect their ideas and products. These essential property protections promote entrepreneurship and innovation. Unfortunately, many small business owners lack the knowledge, expertise, and resources to secure their intellectual property both here at home and abroad. The Small Business Innovation Protection Act will help small businesses leverage existing educational programs to protect their intellectual property from domestic and international harm. I’m proud to support this common sense measure.”

This legislation passed the House Small Business Committee on a voice vote and has the support of one cosponsor, Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) Press Release
  
• House Small Business Committee Press Release
  
• CBO Cost Estimate