Legislation that would overhaul the U.S. patent system would hurt innovation and decrease the value of patents, representatives of two tech companies said Wednesday.

Though the legislation is supported by many large IT vendors, two bills now being considered by the U.S. Congress, both called the Patent Reform Act, <A HREF="http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,133524-pg,1/article.html">go too far in watering down the patent system,</A> said representatives of Texas Instruments and AmberWave Systems, a New Hampshire semiconductor manufacturer.