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USPTO to Host Roadshow Series

As part of the process of policy making for implementation of the America Invents Act (AIA), the USPTO will be hosting a series of sessions for gathering public comment on proposed implementation and policies for implementing the AIA changes signed into law by Congress.  This roadshow will take place this spring across the U.S. to give independent inventors the opportunity to meet with USPTO officials and comment.  It begins in Alexandria, VA (Feb. 17), continues through the US.: Silicon Valley (Feb. 24), Salt Lake City (Feb. 27), Dallas (Feb. 29), Fort Lauderdale (Mar. 2), Boston (Mar. 5) and Chicago (Mar. 7). 

Patent Reform Isn't Over

As part of the patent reform act signed into law, Congress tasked with the PTO with making changes, but did not instruct the PTO how to implement changes.  Rather, Congress put ongoing requirements on the USPTO for change, in the form of proposing rules changes to implement the new law, gathering public opinion and comment regarding the proposed changes and devising final rules changes to implement many of the new provisions in the America Invents Act (AIA).  For example, in December, the PTO  published proposed rules for supplemental examination and to revise reexamination fees.  The PTO also announced public hearings and request for comments on genetic diagnostic testing per the AIA.  If you are interested in having your opinion heard by those who will be making the rules for the patent landscape for years to come, you have opportunity to get involved.

Patent Reform Imminent

U.S. Congress has been discussing patent reform for a number of years now.  Various versions of bills have been tossed around and debated at length, and the patent issues generally have then been put on a shelf, taking back burner to other important issues requiring the attention of Congress.  It really had gotten to the “never cry wolf” stage for if/when anything was to come of the patent reform discussions and patent lawyers had grown weary with breath holding wondering if change was going to take place.  However, this week, both the House and the Senate have passed bills to make the proposed patent reforms into law.  The legislation has landed on President Obama’s desk.  It appears that he will sign the pending bill into law shortly.

Senate Passes Landmark Bill to Overhaul U.S. Patent System

On September 8, 2011, a late congress passed legislation dubbed “The America Invents Act” in an overwhelming 89-9 vote.  President Obama is expected to sign it into law within the next week.  In this CNNMoney report by David Goldman, the bill will mandate three things: