About the author: Ryan Weber is the president of KCnext – The Technology Council of Greater Kansas City.
A few weeks ago, it was my privilege to represent Kansas City’s tech industry at the TechVoice DC Fly-In. TechVoice is a policy advocacy organization powered by CompTIA and TECNA (Tech Councils of North America). KCnext is a member of TECNA, and I serve on the executive committee. Our membership has been a great resource for KCnext while we continue to grow the organization.
In its third year, the TechVoice DC Fly-In is an annual event where executives and tech council CEOs meet over one day with their respective congressional delegations regarding key issues facing the tech industry. I had the pleasure of meeting staff members from the offices of Sen. Blunt (R-MO), Sen. Moran (R-KS), Sen. Roberts (R-KS), Rep. Cleaver (D-MO), Rep. Hartzler (R-MO) and Rep. Yoder (R-KS).
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This year, the attendees focused on two key issues: patent reform and immigration reform. The goal is to educate our respective congressional delegations about these issues and why they are important to the industry.
The House and Senate have strongly supported advancing legislation that would reform our patent laws in order to counter or eliminate “patent trolls” and patent assertion entities (PAEs). Of the two issues, patent reform is the most likely to see movement in the next couple of years.
Annually, billions is spent fighting abusive patent litigation. Abusive demand letters have been increasing and they target small businesses, startups, and/or end users who are being extorted by patent trolls. The House recently passed H.R. 3309, otherwise known as the Innovation Act. It’s now up to the Senate to advance this issue. However, during our meetings it was clear this wouldn’t happen until next year.
Unfortunately, given the upcoming elections, it’s clear that immigration won’t be part of the conversation for some time. This is a hot topic and will be a lively debate. It’s very important to the industry because nearly all tech companies need additional access to talent. In order to fill these needs, we will have to look beyond our American borders.
If you’re passionate about advancing these issues in Washington, I hope you’ll consider joining me at the TechVoice DC Fly-In next February. In the meantime, KCnext will continue to help educate our members and community about the issues facing our industry.
Credits: Ryan Weber photo from LinkedIn.
