Patents As a Defense in the Customs Office

The shortage of key personnel in cutting-edge technology industries has been a bane to technology companies that for the last decade have found themselves relying more and more on imported brainpower. This problem has particularly affected smaller companies that are less able to pay the highest salaries in order to attract employees. U.S. companies often find themselves turning to Europe, India and the Far East to import key technical staff. To hire a foreign national, appropriate government approval, in the form of an H-1B visa, is required. However, H-1B visas last only 3 years and can be renewed for only one additional three-year term. Thus, these employees often return to their home countries once their visas expire.

11 minute read October 07, 2003 at 01:52 PM

By

Howard M. Gitten