Former Trump officials: strong intellectual property protections are crucial for American national security

Experts warn that to counter the growing threats of China and other adversaries, the United States must remain in the lead in critical defense fields such as artificial intelligence, drones and quantum IT. But innovation requires investments, and investors will not bet on new technologies unless they are convinced that their IP is secure. In simple terms, without strong and enforceable intellectual property rights, we risk paralyzing R&D that keeps America in security.

The development of revolutionary technologies regularly takes years – sometimes decades – and billions of dollars. Success stories make the headlines, but most efforts end with failure. Patents provide crucial incitement by giving creators exclusive rights to their inventions for a defined period, ensuring that others cannot simply copy and take advantage of their hard work.

The importance of IP protections is not theoretical. Patents directly strengthen businesses, job creation and technological progress. A study reported by the National Bureau of Economic Research revealed that approval by a company in its first patent leads to a 36% increase in employment growth and a 51% increase in sales over five years. Startups that win this first patent also innovate, producing 49% additional patents on the road.

These results are not surprising. Without patent rights, an innovator could spend years developing new technology only to bring in a competitor and steal their invention at the eleventh hour. Consequently, most startups would find it difficult to raise the external investments necessary to provide promising ideas – but at the start of the start -.

However, with a patent in hand, everything changes. Solid IP protections offer security, making investors more willing to support risky R&D efforts. The proof is in figures: startups with secure patents, on average, almost 75% additional funding from venture capital transactions than those that do not have them, allowing them to refine and develop their innovations.

Our world -class patent system has fueled the development of countless products improving life, even vital, ranging from medicines and renewable energy technologies to armed quality and powerful computer materials. Strengthening it is the safest way to make sure that America leads to technologies that will define the 21st century geopolitical landscape.

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But there is trouble brewing on the horizon. Instead of strengthening this proven system, some activists want to weaken it under the guise of “drop in prices”. The proposals aimed at grasping universities and in hand patents, American manufacturing technology to foreign competitors have undergone the confidence of the private sector in patents. Likewise, legal shortcomings and the rules of the eligibility of obsolete patents have made more difficult for disturbing startups to protect their ideas against theft.

Meanwhile, China adopts the opposite approach, strengthening its system to obtain a strategic advantage in the critical mission fields. Beijing has established courts of specialized patents and changed eligibility rules to encourage investment in critical fields where American patent law is lagging behind. They also made a number of reforms to allow inventors to make their intellectual property rights more easily assert. By prioritizing policies adapted to innovation, China is positioned to overcome the United States in emerging technologies.

The consequences are clear. China is now leading the United States in 57 of the 64 key technological areas, according to a study funded by the State Department of Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Defense analysts warn that, if war breaks out today, America’s technological disadvantage could be catastrophic.

The strengthening of intellectual property rights does not only concern national security – it is economic security. The IP intensity industries engage 41% of American economic production and represent 63 million jobs.

President Trump’s national security strategy said clearly: “An increasing and innovative economy allows the United States to maintain the most powerful soldiers in the world and protect our homeland.” More recently, he called for “REVIV (ING) our industrial basis, with priority on the critical defense industries”.

President Trump is right: America’s ability to dissuade war – or win one, if a fight becomes inevitable – depends on retirement and the maintenance of a technological advantage.

Its administration has the power to stimulate investments in new technologies that protect our national security. To do this, the administration must ensure that the United States issues solid, reliable and enforceable intellectual property rights and that companies can keep these rights once issued.

To do this, we must strengthen our patent system. This means stronger protections for inventors, a more equitable application and a renewed commitment – both in speech and in action – to promote innovation. Our national security depends on it.

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