Yesterday, Senator Coons introduced his STRONGER Patents Act. Senator Coons provided a section-by-section description of the bill, as well as the text of the bill. And after reading it, I have some concerns. Patent Progress previously covered Senator Coons’ STRONG Patents Act. Much of STRONG Patents wound up in STRONGER Patents, and our analysis back…
Tag Archive for senate
Michelle Lee’s Nomination Hearing Goes Smoothly
by Matt Levy • • 1 Comment
There were no big surprises in today’s hearing on Michelle Lee’s nomination as head of the USPTO. The Committee went fairly easy on her with their questions, with the possible exception of Senator Durbin, who admits that he knows nothing about patents or patent law, but seems convinced by his Illinois constituents that there is…
Merkley and Four Other Senators Call for PTO to Improve Patent Quality
by Matt Levy • • 0 Comments
Well, this is good to see: Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), joined by Senator Mark Begich (D-AK), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), sent a letter yesterday to the Department of Commerce about patent quality. The letter urges a few measures to improve patent quality. Here are the highlights: Review performance metrics…
Senator Leahy Takes Patent Reform Off The Agenda
by Matt Levy • • 2 Comments
Well, you’ve probably heard the news: Senator Leahy announced that patent reform is off the agenda for the Judiciary Committee this month. This is the most aggravating part of Senator Leahy’s statement: I have said all along that we needed broad bipartisan support to get a bill through the Senate. Regrettably, competing companies on both…
Progress on Patent Reform Takes a Little Time
by Matt Levy • • 0 Comments
As you may have heard, we basically have a deal on patent reform in the Senate Judiciary Committee. While lawmakers couldn’t quite get it done before recess, they left town with what Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) described as a “broad bipartisan agreement in principle” on patent reform. I’m hearing from sources that…
Senator Schumer Explains It All on Covered Business Method Review
by Matt Levy • • 0 Comments
At today’s Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, “Protecting Small Businesses and Promoting Innovation by Limiting Patent Troll Abuse,” Senator Schumer explained why we need to make the Covered Business Method Review program more widely available: I couldn’t have said it better myself. Transcript of video:
Before I Kill You, Mr. Bond[ing Requirement]
by Matt Levy • • 0 Comments
One big reason that being a patent troll is so profitable is that there isn’t a lot of downside risk for the troll. You just set up a holding company with no assets other than the patents you’re using and sue. You can afford to take risky positions because even if the judge awards fees…
Senator Cornyn Introduces Patent Abuse Reduction Act
by Matt Levy • • 0 Comments
Today is an exciting day — patent trolls are beginning to get some real attention in Congress. Following Senator Schumer’s introduction of the Patent Quality Improvement Act a couple of weeks ago, today Senator Cornyn introduced the Patent Abuse Reduction Act, and overall it’s a strong bill. Senator Cornyn’s bill includes a couple of very…
Edith Ramirez is a Fantastic Choice for FTC Chairman
by David Balto • • 0 Comments
On February 28th the White House announced that President Obama has selected current Commissioner Edith Ramirez as the new Chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission. Chairwoman Ramirez is an excellent choice for antitrust enforcement generally, but is truly an ideal Chair for the FTC as it prepares to face the next generation of anti-competitive practices…