By Manny Schecter, IBM Chief Patent Counsel
With the introduction of new U.S. patent reform legislation, Senate leaders continue plans for the most significant update to the nation’s patent laws in more than 50 years. IBM endorses the bill, which we believe will bolster American competitiveness in the global economy and help stimulate innovation.
Senators Leahy, Hatch, Grassley and others have proposed a bill that will benefit the entire patent community. The Patent Reform Act of 2011 (S.23) will modernize and provide essential improvements to the U.S. patent system, protect inventors and promote innovation.
As the top recipient of U.S. patents for the last 18 years, IBM is the largest user of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and has long been a leading supporter of patent reform. We believe the new bill strikes a careful balance among various users of the U.S. patent system, while updating a system that has not kept pace with dramatic changes in technology and innovation.
The time has come for Congress to act and swiftly adopt this legislation to help preserve American innovation leadership and spur economic growth.
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Is a plain-English summary of the proposed act available somewhere?
Senator Leahy’s Web site provides background information and further detail http://tinyurl.com/4ka4ffc
I haven’t yet checked out the text of the proposed legislation, but from the synopses I’ve read it sounds like Leahy didn’t include any provisions for discontinuing fee diversion in his supposed “patent reform” bill. Is he for real? I realize that, as a congressman, he might not be too eager to cut off a source of revenue for the legislature; but enough is enough. Also, I think this proposed legislation has way too many contentious issues to pass. If Leahy really wants to enact patent reform, I suspect that he may have to be somewhat less ambitious and more incrementalist in his approach.