Stalemate Along Ideological Lines
The Senate Judiciary Committee continues to struggle with S.1720 (Patent Transparency & Improvements Act of 2013). Yet again, the Committee has postponed mark-up of the bill. While mark-up remains possible on Thursday April 10th, given the growing political dissension along party lines on fee shifting, and significant lobby pressure on all sides, it now seems impossible for the Bill to advance in any significant regard before this Friday’s Easter Break. Unless progress is made in the next few weeks the bill is in danger of stalling for the remainder of the year (i.e., after midterm elections conclude).