Bill · H.R. 9143· House(119-HR-9143)
Foreign Adversary Patent Disclosure Act
- Introduced
- 6/4/2026
- Last activity
- 6/4/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Scott Fitzgerald
- Cosponsors
- None
- 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
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
Requires disclosure of foreign adversary influence in patent ownership.
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
Grants the USPTO Director authority to require detailed disclosures and document production.
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?+3
Increases transparency regarding foreign state influence over US patents.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-3
Compels disclosure of private financial and employment ties to foreign entities.
Would immigrants be better off under this?-2
Increased scrutiny and disclosure requirements for those with foreign ties.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?-2
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.
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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.
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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. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+3Improves Privacy Rights-3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+2Good For Immigrants-2Good For Asian Americans-1
- Education And Technology
- Improves Intellectual Property Fairness+3Improves Data Privacy-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance+2Improves International Trade-2
- 6/4/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House