Manager’s Amendment of H.R. 1249 Passed, Headed to FloorPatent Reform took another step in the direction of passing into law today. In a 32-3 vote, the Manager’s Amendment was passed, along with several small amendments, to the House floor. A full list of all proposed amendments may be found (here). Several deal breaking amendments were proposed, but failed, including a proposal to ditch the first inventor to file scheme, and another to utilize the SNQ standard for Inter Partes Review. Upon passage of H.R. 1249 (and amendments) to the floor, Chairman Smith explained,Today’s vote puts much-needed patent reform one step closer to enactment.  The America Invents Act updates our patent system to make it easier for innovators to produce new technologies that drive economic growth and generate jobs.This important legislation is long overdue.  The last major patent reform was nearly 60 years ago.  Since then, American inventors have helped put a man on the moon, developed cell phones and launched the Internet. But we cannot protect the technologies of today with the tools of the past. Technological innovation from America’s intellectual property is linked to three-quarters of our economic growth.  American IP industries account for over half of all U.S. exports and provide millions of Americans with well-paying jobs. In order to have a healthy economy, we must have a healthy patent system. These reforms discourage frivolous suits, enhance patent quality and streamline international principles. After six years of bipartisan efforts, I look forward to crossing the finish line on patent reform.Expect further political maneuvers on the House floor, still, patent reform is getting very close to becoming reality. 

Patent Reform took another step in the direction of passing into law today. In a 32-3 vote, the Manager’s Amendment was passed, along with several small amendments, to the House floor. A full list of all proposed amendments may be found (here). 

Several deal breaking amendments were proposed, but failed, including a proposal to ditch the first inventor to file scheme, and another to utilize the SNQ standard for Inter Partes Review. Upon passage of H.R. 1249 (and amendments) to the floor, Chairman Smith explained,

Today’s vote puts much-needed patent reform one step closer to enactment.  The America Invents Act updates our patent system to make it easier for innovators to produce new technologies that drive economic growth and generate jobs.

This important legislation is long overdue.  The last major patent reform was nearly 60 years ago.  Since then, American inventors have helped put a man on the moon, developed cell phones and launched the Internet. But we cannot protect the technologies of today with the tools of the past. 

Technological innovation from America’s intellectual property is linked to three-quarters of our economic growth.  American IP industries account for over half of all U.S. exports and provide millions of Americans with well-paying jobs. 

In order to have a healthy economy, we must have a healthy patent system. These reforms discourage frivolous suits, enhance patent quality and streamline international principles. After six years of bipartisan efforts, I look forward to crossing the finish line on patent reform.

Expect further political maneuvers on the House floor, still, patent reform is getting very close to becoming reality.