U.S. Patent Office in Silicon Valley

The U.S. Patent Office is working to reduce the patent approval process from an average of three years to a more competitive 18 months.
Kudos to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Patent Office Director David Kappos - a former IBM Executive - for streamlining a notoriously bureaucratic process.
In Silicon Valley, we know that three years equates to about four product cycles, slowing down innovation and job creation. It’s time for step two - a regional patent office in Silicon Valley. A regional office was recently approved - not for the world’s Capitol of Innovation - but for Detroit, Michigan.
Really.
Legislation is under consideration for three more regional offices. Silicon Valley is a natural. On April 14, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and Joint Venture: Silicon Valley will host Mr. Kappos to rally support for a regional office, right here in Silicon Valley. Let’s break down barriers to innovation, rather than erect them. To join us, visit SVLG.org.