Office of Management and Budget approves USPTO’s new continuation rules The Office of Management and Budget has approved the two new rules promulgated by the USPTO relating to continuation applications and examination of claims. Apparently the meetings with various groups did not convince the OMB that the rules were inconsistent with the USPTO's regulatory authority. The rules are rumored to be different than those originally […] Continue Reading →
200 companies express further concerns over Patent Reform Act of 2007 The hits just keep on coming for the Patent Reform Act of 2007 (H.R. 1908 and S. 1145). Over the past two weeks, Chief Judge Paul Michel of the Federal Circuit sent two letters criticizing portions of the Act. Before that, a group of Senators noted their concerns with the Act. Just after the Act […] Continue Reading →
Three groups meet with OMB to stop continuation rules from being implemented In an effort to prevent the much–discussed impending rules changing continuation practice and the number of claims from being finalized, there were three meetings held regarding the proposed rules during May and June at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the office that must review and approve all regulations promulgated by federal agencies. It […] Continue Reading →
Chief Judge Michel offers additional thoughts on the Patent Reform Act of 2007 Back when the Patent Reform Act of 2007 (H.R. 1908 and S. 1145) was first introduced, Chief Judge Paul Michel of the Federal Circuit wrote a letter to Senators Patrick Leahy and Orrin Hatch (the Senate sponsors of the Patent Reform Act of 2007) discussing the practical implications of certain provisions of the bill on […] Continue Reading →
Senators express concern over Patent Reform Act of 2007 In a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee (which held hearings on the Patent Reform Act of 2007 last week), several Republican members of the committee expressed reservations about the current version of the bill. The contingent, made up of Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Chuck Grassley […] Continue Reading →
Senate hearings on the Patent Reform Act of 2007 As noted previously, the Senate yesterday held hearings on the Patent Reform Act of 2007 (S. 1145). The witnesses were: Jon W. Dudas, Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO Bruce G. Bernstein, chief intellectual property and licensing officer, InterDigital Communications Corp. Mary Doyle, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, […] Continue Reading →
Senate to hold its first hearings on Patent Reform Act of 2007 While the House subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property (a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee) held hearings on the Patent Reform Act of 2007 (H.R. 1908, S. 1145) at the end of April, the Senate is just now getting into the act. On Wednesday, June 6 at 10:00 Eastern time, the full […] Continue Reading →
Chief Judge Michel weighs in on two aspects of the Patent Reform Act of 2007 In a letter to Senators Patrick Leahy and Orrin Hatch, Chief Judge Paul Michel of the Federal Circuit expresses concern with two provisions of the Patent Reform Act of 2007 (H.R. 1908 and S. 1145). The letter, dated May 3 (two weeks after the bills were introduced), addresses what Chief Judge Michel perceives to be […] Continue Reading →
House subcommittee sends Patent Reform Act of 2007 to full Judiciary Committee The House subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property this week has approved the House version of the Patent Reform Act of 2007 (H.R. 1908). The bill now goes to the full House Judiciary Committee for further review before going to the House for a full vote. Although this is a key first hurdle […] Continue Reading →
Coalition of over 100 companies expresses concerns over the Patent Reform Act of 2007 In a letter to democratic and republican leadership as well as the members of the House and Senate judiciary committees, the Innovation Alliance, along with over 100 other companies, expressed concern over many of the proposed reforms in the Patent Reform Act of 2007 (H.R. 1908 and S. 1145). The group states that many of […] Continue Reading →