Ex-Trump Adviser To Protest Administration Policy In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Former Trump campaign adviser Michael Caputo is leading a protest in Alexandria Friday against President Trump's continuation of an Obama-era patent policy. Inventors from around the U.S. will gather from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at 600 Dulany Street in Alexandria.

The meaning of a patent as private property changed during the Obama years. The America Invents Act (AIA), signed into law by former President Obama in 2011 made the first significant change to the patent system since 1952. The law changed the rights of patents that had previously guaranteed to the inventor. As of March 16, 2013, the U.S. now follows a "first-to-file" system, allowing an individual or business putting the invention in practice to receive the patent if they file an application first.

In late April, the Supreme Court was considering taking up a case questioning practices under AIA. However, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office said not to take the case, because patents are not private property, according to RealClearPolitics.

Caputo and US Inventor, the group hosting the rally, believe Obama administrator holdovers, big businesses and others have prevented the patent policy from changing. Trump's background suggested he would support inventor's rights; his fortune is protected by trademarks, and his uncle has 23 patents, according to Fortune.

"President Obama was anti-patent and many establishment Republicans joined his assault on inventors. They've made patents worthless today and the Trump Administration appears to be on the same path," Caputo said in a release. "Inventors are assembling at the PTO on Friday to amplify their call for a reversal of Obama's unconstitutional policy - that's much more in line with President Trump's ideals."

The Trump administration has the ability to change the direction on patent policy. Michelle Lee, head of the U.S. Patent and Trademark office, resigned in June, and the president has not yet announced a replacement.

See more information about the rally here.

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