Senate Bill Heads for Home Stretch this WeekWith Senator Feinstein’s amendment to strip out the first-to-file provision now defeated, it seems that the American Invents Act is headed for a vote this week. The cloture process invoked at the close of last week will effectively draw debate to a close this week, and, perhaps more importantly, preclude further amendment proposals.Last week, over 34 amendments were proposed, most of which offered little in the way of substantive change. (list of proposals here). While Senator Leahy tried to keep the debate on track last week, other senators seemed intent on using the bill as a platform for political grandstanding. With debate drawing to a close, and passage expected this week, eyes will now turn to the House companion bill.The House is not expected to propose any radical changes.  Thereafter, House changes will be reconciled with the Manager’s Amendment to S.23.  The patent reform legislation now appears to have significant political momentum. It is clear that both parties are looking to tout passage of the American Invents Act as a no-cost jobs stimul

With Senator Feinstein’s amendment to strip out the first-to-file provision now defeated, it seems that the American Invents Act is headed for a vote this week. The cloture process invoked at the close of last week will effectively draw debate to a close this week, and, perhaps more importantly, preclude further amendment proposals.

Last week, over 34 amendments were proposed, most of which offered little in the way of substantive change. (list of proposals here). While Senator Leahy tried to keep the debate on track last week, other senators seemed intent on using the bill as a platform for political grandstanding. With debate drawing to a close, and passage expected this week, eyes will now turn to the House companion bill.

The House is not expected to propose any radical changes.  Thereafter, House changes will be reconciled with the Manager’s Amendment to S.23.  

The patent reform legislation now appears to have significant political momentum. It is clear that both parties are looking to tout passage of the American Invents Act as a no-cost jobs stimulus.