A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Foreign Adversary Patent Disclosure Act would change patent laws to require people applying for patents to disclose certain ties to foreign adversaries. This includes employment by an entity controlled by a foreign adversary, receiving funding from their state-affiliated research funds or talent programs, or receiving financial incentives related to patents. The Director of the USPTO can request copies of agreements related to these disclosures. Certain small business concerns are exempt from these requirements. Foreign adversaries are defined as the People's Republic of China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and the Russian Federation.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
Requires disclosure of foreign adversary influence in patent ownership.
- Scored +3
Does this give the federal government more power?
Grants the USPTO Director authority to require detailed disclosures and document production.
- Scored +3
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?
Increases transparency regarding foreign state influence over US patents.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -3
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
Compels disclosure of private financial and employment ties to foreign entities.
- Scored -2
Would immigrants be better off under this?
Increased scrutiny and disclosure requirements for those with foreign ties.
- Scored -2
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
Requires disclosure of private employment and funding agreements to the USPTO.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency: Section 2(a)(1) requires the disclosure of financial incentives, funding from state-affiliated research funds, and employment ties to foreign adversaries, which provides more information about the origins of patent ownership.
-
Protection for Small Businesses: Section 2(a)(3) provides an exemption for small business concerns that meet specific criteria under the Small Business Act, meaning they would not have to make these disclosures.
-
Privacy for Documents: Section 2(a)(2)(B) allows the Director to keep requested contractual or financial documents confidential and separate from the public patent application file.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Additional Disclosure Requirements: Section 2(a)(1) places a burden on patent applicants to identify and disclose any person with an ownership interest who had specific ties to foreign adversaries in the 5 years before the application.
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Requirement to Provide Documentation: Section 2(a)(2)(A) allows the Director to require applicants to provide true copies of contractual or financial obligations or other agreements.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires disclosure of foreign adversary influence in patent ownership. Does this give the federal government more power? — Grants the USPTO Director authority to require detailed disclosures and document production. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — Compels disclosure of private financial and employment ties to foreign entities.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Small businesses are specifically exempt from the new disclosure requirements.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Small business owners are specifically exempt from these burdens. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Increased scrutiny and disclosure requirements for those with foreign ties. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — May disproportionately affect those with ties to the People's Republic of China.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — Increases transparency regarding foreign state influence over US patents. Does this give people more control over their personal data? — Requires disclosure of private employment and funding agreements to the USPTO.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — Increases government oversight of individuals' foreign financial and employment ties. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Creates additional hurdles and transparency requirements for those with ties to specific foreign nations.
- 6/4/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House