SALT LAKE CITY – August 19, 2005 –One of the most important areas for pending new legislation is the issue of patent reform, according to Senator Orrin Hatch. Hatch discussed this and other technology issues with trustees and business leaders from the Utah Information Technology Association (UITA) at the Salt Lake offices of law firm Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll. Hatch engaged with Utah executives in an open and lively discussion on the issues of intellectual property, copyright laws, highway and gas legislation and even the current Supreme Court judicial nomination in a roundtable discussion with leading Utah technology executives. “I have so much respect for UITA and for the high-tech industry in this state,” Hatch said. “The environment for innovation that exists here has critical ramifications for the entire nation. Utah ranks as one of the top three locations for new software and technology innovation within the United States. I take tremendous interest in what you are doing.” As he fielded questions from Utah’s executives, Hatch noticed that the single greatest contribution Utah’s companies can make is to get involved in the political process. If companies will work together, do their homework, and come prepared to their senate and congressional representatives, their impact can be remarkable in helping to pass critical patent and intellectual property bills. Hatch also noted that whereas Utah currently enjoys a strong level of influence in national government, Utah businesses can spread their influence still further by communicating with business partners and counterparts in other U.S. states to work with their legislative representatives as well. “By working closely with Senator Hatch, UITA and its national affiliates are in a unique position to make good headway on reforming patent and copyright laws in the coming year,” said Richard Nelson, president and CEO of UITA. Hatch welcomes input from Utah citizens and businesses on ways that legislation can help patents to be secured more quickly as well as to more readily resolve disputes when they arise, to encourage innovation and to protect every company—small and large. “The Utah high-tech industry is fortunate to have Senator Hatch’s tenure, experience, leadership and commitment,” said attendee Bill Aho, CEO of ClearPlay.
About UITA
As Utah’s premier professional organization for technology companies, the Utah Information Technology Association (UITA) exists to form closer relationships with industry and community leaders, develop superior management talent, sharpen professional skills and help gain access to capital. For more information on UITA, please visit http://www.uita.org.
Agency Contact:
Cheryl Snapp Conner
Snapp Norris Group
T) 801 208-1100
UITA:
Richard Nelson
T) 801.568.3500 | 
