Senate Judiciary Committee Unanimously Votes to Send Bipartisan Patent Reform Legislation to Full Senate

A unanimous vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee has sent comprehensive patent reform legislation to the full Senate for the third time since 2008.

The Patent Reform Act is authored by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

Congressional efforts to reform the nation’s patent system first began in 2005.  The legislation approved by the Judiciary Committee is the product of years of work and compromise.  Enactment of the Patent Reform Act of 2011 will make the first significant changes to the patent system in nearly 60 years, and will create and protect American jobs without adding to the nation’s deficit.

“A balanced and efficient intellectual property system that rewards invention and promotes innovation through high quality patents is crucial to our nation’s economic prosperity and job growth,” said Leahy.  “The Patent Reform Act will allow our inventors and innovators to flourish.  And it will do this without adding a penny to the deficit.  I hope that the Senate will act quickly, so that we can win the future by unleashing the American inventive spirit.”

“The United States is the most innovative and entrepreneurial nation in the world,” said Hatch. “If we are going to maintain our enviable position at the forefront of the world economy, it is absolutely essential for us to have an efficient and streamlined patent system. This bipartisan legislation, which would be the first major overhaul of our patent system in nearly six decades, is an important step toward maintaining our global competitive edge.”

“An effective and efficient patent system will help spur innovation and inventions and improve patent quality, and as a result, will provide incentive for entrepreneurs to create jobs,” Grassley said.  “I hope the full Senate will soon have an opportunity to debate this bipartisan legislation.”

Leahy is the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Hatch is the Committee’s senior Republican member and a former Chairman, and Grassley is the panel’s incoming Ranking Republican.

The Patent Reform Act makes changes to inter partes review, Patent and Trademark Office funding, and supplemental examinations.

The legislation will also transition the nation’s patent system to a first-inventor-to-file system, create a first-window post-grant review process, provide certainty in damages calculations and findings of willful infringement, and includes important provisions to improve patent quality.

The bill is based largely on a bill introduced in the 109th Congress by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Congressman Howard Berman (D-Calif.).

Also See:

USPTO to Implement Inventor’s Oath or Declaration Provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Seeks Public Input on Proposed Fees

USPTO to Test New Post Final Rejection Option

USPTO Expands Patent Law School Clinic Certification Pilot Program

USPTO Launches Small Business Innovation Research Pilot Program