Intellectual Property Law

Patent Reform Act of 2007 to be passed in 2008?

By McKee, Voorhees & Sease, P.L.C.

The internet is abuzz with talk that the much-maligned Patent Reform Act of 2007 (H.R. 1908 & S. 1145) may be passed in some form this month.  A draft version of the Senate Judiciary Committee's report on the bill was released earlier this week, and while it does not contain any revised provisions, it does offer a fairly detailed description of the Senate version of the bill as it currently stands.  A finalized version of the report is expected to be released soon.  Once that happens, expect the lobbying from both sides to escalate again.

Patently-O takes note of an interesting provision in the conference report that would remove the residency requirement for Federal Circuit judges.  Currently, in order to serve on the Federal Circuit, one must live within 50 miles of Washington, DC, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 44; the Senate version of the Act would remove this restriction.

We'll continue to monitor the status of the bill, including any compromises that are made in an effort to secure its passage.

Full post as published by FileWrapper on January 16, 2008 (boomark / email).