April 26, 1945
[Released April 26, 1945. Dated April 20, 1945]
My dear Mr. Secretary:
Much has lately been said and written to suggest that the patent statutes do not in all
respects serve the constitutional purpose to promote the progress of science and useful arts, and
that patents have been misused to support unlawful monopolies in contravention of the purposes
of the anti-trust laws.
I believe the Congress would welcome such assistance as the executive branch of the
government might be able to give in presenting the results of a full and objective study of the
operation and effectiveness of the patent laws and their relation to the purposes of the anti-trust
laws and to the post-war economy, together with specific proposals for such legislation as may
seem to be appropriate. Thus far the several departments of the government have made no
concerted effort to formulate a policy upon this subject.
Will you please undertake such study and submit to me your report and recommendations
respecting the legislative proposals you think I should lay before the Congress. In so doing will
you please consult with the Attorney General, the Director of Economic Stabilization, the
Director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, and the Chairman of the
National Patent Planning Commission.
Very sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN
NOTE: On April 26, 1945, a Department of Commerce release announced that Secretary
Wallace had invited the officials listed in the President's letter to serve as a committee to make a
full and objective study of the patent system, and that the Director of Economic Stabilization had
consented to serve as chairman. The study, completed in 1947, was first published in 1960, with
minor revisions, as Study No. 26 of the Subcommittee on Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights
of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary (Government Printing Office, 1960).
[Released April 26, 1945. Dated April 20, 1945]
My dear Mr. Secretary:
Much has lately been said and written to suggest that the patent statutes do not in all
respects serve the constitutional purpose to promote the progress of science and useful arts, and
that patents have been misused to support unlawful monopolies in contravention of the purposes
of the anti-trust laws.
I believe the Congress would welcome such assistance as the executive branch of the
government might be able to give in presenting the results of a full and objective study of the
operation and effectiveness of the patent laws and their relation to the purposes of the anti-trust
laws and to the post-war economy, together with specific proposals for such legislation as may
seem to be appropriate. Thus far the several departments of the government have made no
concerted effort to formulate a policy upon this subject.
Will you please undertake such study and submit to me your report and recommendations
respecting the legislative proposals you think I should lay before the Congress. In so doing will
you please consult with the Attorney General, the Director of Economic Stabilization, the
Director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, and the Chairman of the
National Patent Planning Commission.
Very sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN
NOTE: On April 26, 1945, a Department of Commerce release announced that Secretary
Wallace had invited the officials listed in the President's letter to serve as a committee to make a
full and objective study of the patent system, and that the Director of Economic Stabilization had
consented to serve as chairman. The study, completed in 1947, was first published in 1960, with
minor revisions, as Study No. 26 of the Subcommittee on Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights
of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary (Government Printing Office, 1960).