New first-to-file patent rules

The new rules are now official and a first to file system has now been implemented by United States Patent and Trademark Office. This first-to-file is pretty much governed under the 35 USC 102(a) and the exceptions under 35 USC (b). Simply speaking 102(a)(1) – has to do with publications and 102(a)(2) – talks about the […]

Patent Reform: House Passes America Invents Act

On June 23, 2011, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted 304-117 to pass H.R. 1249, a bill sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), also known as the America Invents Act, to overhaul to U.S. patent law so as to encourage innovation, job creation and economic growth. “Today’s vote is a victory for […]

Patent Reform Act of 2011

The latest patent reform bill entitled “The Patent Reform Act of 2011″ (PDF) , will be introduced to Congress by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, on Jan. 25, 2011. Could this be the year it becomes law? The Judiciary Committee has introduced patent reform bills to Congress every year since 2006. […]

“Patent Reform Act of 2010” and “First Inventor to File” Rule Change

The Patent Reform Act of 2010 was recently made public in the form of an (“Amendment to S. 515”). Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) spoke at an Executive Business meeting (webcast) February 25, 2010 about this amendment to the patent reform act. Leahy stated, “When Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and I started this […]