Panhandle Times

Congressman Nathaniel Moran and Congresswoman Madeleine Dean have reintroduced the Realizing Engineering, Science, and Technology Opportunities by Restoring Exclusive (RESTORE) Patent Rights Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation seeks to reinforce patent protections by reinstating the presumption that courts will issue injunctions against patent infringers. Senators Chris Coons and Tom Cotton introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"American innovation is only as strong as the confidence in knowing ideas cannot be stolen by competitors," stated Congressman Moran. He emphasized that innovators have struggled to secure permanent injunctions from U.S. courts over the past two decades, which has allowed intellectual property theft to flourish. "Our legislation will restore the rights of American innovators by ensuring permanent injunctions are accessible from U.S. courts."

Congresswoman Dean added, "Enforceable patents are vital to our ability to invent, improve and advance – yet today, it is increasingly difficult for patent holders to enforce their rights through permanent injunctions." She expressed gratitude for the support of her colleagues in protecting patent holders.

Senator Cotton highlighted vulnerabilities in current patent law: "Current patent law fails to protect inventors and leaves them vulnerable to intellectual property theft from adversaries like China." Senator Coons criticized a Supreme Court decision that allows companies to justify stealing patented technologies as a business cost.

The RESTORE Patent Rights Act has garnered support from various organizations including the Innovation Alliance and Conservatives for Property Rights. Brian Pomper of the Innovation Alliance urged Congress to pass this bill, stating it would allow small inventors fair competition with larger tech companies after court rulings.

Andrei Iancu from C4IP emphasized national security concerns: "Our nation's economic success and national security depend on inventors having confidence that their intellectual property will not be unfairly exploited." David Kappos also stressed the importance of supporting startups and entrepreneurs.

James Edwards from Conservatives for Property Rights criticized a Supreme Court ruling that made obtaining permanent injunctions difficult since 2006. He believes this bill restores historical remedies for injunctive relief in patent cases.

Chris Israel of The Alliance of U.S. Startups & Inventors for Jobs described the RESTORE Act as impactful for empowering American inventors against predatory infringement by larger competitors.

IEEE-USA President Timothy Lee pointed out that nondiscriminatory access to legal systems is crucial for securing necessary investment property rights. Kristen Osenga of Inventors Defense Alliance praised the bill's potential impact on safeguarding small businesses and fostering an equitable patent system.

Mark Leahy from Medical Device Manufacturers Association noted ongoing global efforts to steal American innovations: "It is critical that Congress establishes new protections so that the United States can remain a global leader in medical technology innovation."