Intellectual Property Law

Congressman Darrell Issa, (R-Ca.) has announced his intention to introduce a bill establishing a five-year pilot program creating specialized patent judges within two district courts, creating in effect a ?rocket docket? patent court within the structure of existing district courts.  Congressman Issa, himself the founder of an electronics business and past chairman of the Consumer Electronics Association, is a member of the House Judiciary Committee with a particular interest in patent litigation.

According to Issa, the bill is motivated in large part by the high reversal rate of patent cases at the Federal Circuit.  In an interview with IP Law 360, Rep. Issa stated that ?[s]ome, if not all, of the patent cases at these courts would end up going to an augmented district court bench.  The chosen courts would be given additional technology-specific staff and law clerks.  They would then take a larger portion of the patent cases before the court and provide quicker and surer justice.? 

Would this eliminate forum shopping for ?rocket dockets,? as Issa claims?  Would the patent system be better of with district court judges specializing in patent cases?  The IP Blawg will keep you posted on all the latest developments.

Today's Blogger:  Nan Joesten