Patent Law Weblog
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- Apple v. Squires: USPTO Director Has Unlimited Discretion on IPR Institution
- The Ghost in the Machine: Why GenAI Can Be Both a Brilliant Researcher and a Terrible Advocate
- Bayer Files Suit Against Trio of COVID-19 Vaccine Makers
- Allen v. Cooper (4th Cir. 2026)
- To Require an Inventor ID, or Not to Require an Inventor ID – That Is the Question
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Category: Patent Legislation
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By Donald Zuhn — The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office continues the process of implementing the many changes to U.S. patent law brought about by the enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) on September 16. In one of its more recent steps, the Office issued a notice in the Federal Register (76 Fed.…
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By Donald Zuhn — Five months after postponing the launch date of the prioritized examination (or Track I) portion of the Enhanced Examination Timing Control Procedures Initiative, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced on Friday that it would begin accepting requests for prioritized examination today. The program was postponed in April due to "funding…
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By Donald Zuhn — On Friday, President Obama signed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (H.R. 1249) into law. In a press release issued after the signing, the White House said the legislation would "help American entrepreneurs and businesses bring their inventions to market sooner, creating new businesses and new jobs." President Obama noted that he…
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By Donald Zuhn — On Thursday, the Senate passed the House version of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (H.R. 1249) by an 89-9 vote (see "Senate Passes H.R. 1249"). The legislation now awaits the President's signature before becoming law. That signing could come as early as Monday, after the President spent Friday morning and early…
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By Donald Zuhn — After considering three amendments, rejecting two and tabling a third, the Senate today voted 89 to 9 in favor of H.R. 1249, the House version of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Opposing passage of the bill were Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Ron…
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By Donald Zuhn — Earlier today, the Senate voted 93-5 to invoke cloture on a motion to proceed to H.R. 1249, the House version of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Opposing the motion were Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rand Paul (R-KY); Senators John Rockefeller IV…
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By Donald Zuhn — Tomorrow, the Senate will vote to invoke cloture on a motion to proceed to H.R. 1249, the House version of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. The vote to invoke cloture is scheduled to take place immediately after the Senate considers Bernice Bouie Donald for U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit…
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By Donald Zuhn — Sen. Reid's Cloture Motion Brings Senate Closer to Vote on H.R. 1249 On August 2, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) (at right) presented a cloture motion to bring to a close the debate on the House version of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (H.R. 1249) so that the Senate can proceed to…
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By Donald Zuhn — The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently established a website to provide information and seek input on the implementation of the Leahy-Smith American Invents Act, which the House of Representatives passed on June 23. Although the Office notes that the legislation is still pending before the Senate and "neither its passage…
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By Donald Zuhn — While the patent community has been focusing on Congress' efforts to enact patent reform legislation over the past few months, a number of other bills have been introduced that could, if enacted, significantly impact the biotech and pharma sectors. Stem Cell Research Advancement Act of 2011 Last month, Rep. Diana DeGette…
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