In the name of consumer safety, SawStop has just made an incredible gift to the public.  I personally wish to commend Tooltechnic Systems (TTS), SawStop’s owner, for ensuring that no patents will prevent active injury mitigation (AIM) technologies on saw blades once a CPSC rule takes effect.  TTS’s commitment is the nail in the coffin for industry’s belabored argument that SawStop’s patents are a key obstacle to selling saws with AIM.  

Since joining CPSC, I have never witnessed such generosity by a manufacturer, and I hope TTS’s acts serve as a model for others.  Instead of standing in the way of safety, manufacturers can and should help CPSC improve product safety across the board.  Giving up intellectual property to help others is an honorable and admirable thing to do. 

While the power tool industry’s lobbyists will likely pivot to new arguments against CPSC’s proposed rule, the public should remember that their grumblings about SawStop’s patent being an impediment are moot.  Manufacturers have many ways to comply with CPSC’s proposed performance requirements for table saws, now including the use of previously patented technology.

As always, I am confident in American ingenuity.  With robust competitive pressures and an active market featuring many sellers, consumers should look forward to safer table saws at limited additional cost.

Faithfully,

Your consumer advocate at the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Commissioner Richard L. Trumka Jr.