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Bill to Reset Analysis

Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2023. You can find the text of the bill (here).

The bill is a slightly refined version of the proposal floated last summer. Most of the changes seem directed to assessing the relevance of a mathematical formula as part of the claim, and making clear that otherwise patent ineligible subject matter cannot be saved by mere computer implementation. Presumably these changes are directed to addressing the concerns of those stakeholders in the predictable arts. (The lobbying force behind the effort has always been Bio/Pharma).

The bill essentially wipes the slate clean on 101 jurisprudence by eliminating all so-called “judicial exceptions.” As well it should. Despite those that would counsel otherwise, there is absolutely no rhyme or reason to the food-fight mess that is 101 jurisprudence.…

Continue Reading New 101 Bill to Avoid Case Law Morass

Legislation & Continued Judicial Feedback

There have been a number of developments in the courts, at the USPTO, and on the legislative side over the past few months. These developments, some of which have been discussed here at length — such as the 101 legislative effort — will continue to drive new patent strategies and…

PatentsPostGrant.com June Webinar

June 19 marks the 5th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s impactful decision in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank, which dramatically changed the analysis of patentable subject matter in both patent prosecution and patent litigation.

Currently, a bipartisan group of Congressional members introduced what could be the first revisions to Section 101…

Plan Ahead for 101 Change

With the Senate conducting marathon hearings on the subject of patentable subject matter this week (i.e., 35 U.S.C. § 101), and with significant effort to date to move legislation forward, it appears that 101 change is coming — and soon.

Given the imminent legislative reset, what should you do if your patent is invalidated by the Court’s under the current 101 regime?
Continue Reading Preparing for 101 Change: Preserving Future Arguments

Senate Judiciary Hearings Start Next Week

The Senate Judiciary Committee will conduct back-to-back hearings next Tuesday and Wednesday entitled “The State of Patent Eligibility in America. The marathon fact-finding hearings come on the heels of the proposed 101 framework released last week. Each of the hearings will include three panels of five speakers.

Judging on the lineups for next week, so far the deck is plainly stacked pro-reform.
Continue Reading Senate 101 Hearings Stacked in Favor of Reform

Draft Framework Released

As previously discussed, Congress is poised to revise the law of patent eligibility under 35 U.S.C. § 101.  To this end, a draft framework has been floated in advance of three upcoming stakeholder meetings on the Hill (June 4th, 5th and 11th).

Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Chris Coons (D-DE), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, and Representatvie Doug Collins (R-GA-9), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Hank Johnson (D-GA-4), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subommittee on Intellectual Property and the Courts, and Steve Stivers (R-OH-15) released a bipartisan, bicameral draft bill that would reform Section 101 of the Patent Act.
Continue Reading Congress Floats Draft Bill Outlining New 101 Framework

Subcommittee to Tackle 101?

Late last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee announced the formation of an Intellectual Property (IP) Subcommittee. The Senate Judiciary has not had an active IP Subcommittee for decades (unlike the House).

Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Chris Coons (D-DE) were announced as Chairman and Ranking Member of the IP Subcommittee. You may remember these same senators conducting a closed-door meeting with larger stakeholders (Tech and Bio/Pharma) last December on the topic of patent subject matter eligibility (35 U.S.C. § 101). On the heels of the USPTO’s revised patent eligibility guidelines, it appears that the stars may finally be aligning for meaningful 101 reform.
Continue Reading Senate Judiciary Leaders Resurrect Long Dormant IP Subcommittee