This will be her response... 

 Dear Mr.:

Thank you for writing to me about patent reform. I appreciate hearing from you.

The protection of innovative property rights is vital to our economy -- particularly in California. Because of the exclusive rights that a patent gives to its owner, it is essential that due consideration be given when issuing patents, with careful attention to making sure that there is a balance between competitive and individual interests.

As the Senate has been examining the need for patent reform during this Congress, many individual inventors and large businesses have shared their perspectives with me on this issue. With California's large and diverse high-technology business sector, growing bio-technology industry, and innovative university research centers, any change in the patent law needs to balance a variety of competing concerns since it will have far-reaching effects. I will give any legislation in this area the careful scrutiny and consideration that it deserves.

Thank you again for writing. Please know that I will keep your thoughts in mind when patent reform legislation comes before the Senate. If you should have any further comments or questions, feel free to contact my Washington, DC staff at (202) 224-3841.

Dianne Feinstein

United States Senator

Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ENewsletterSignup.Signup.