Debate on patent reform (S. 23, the America Invents Act, formerly called the Patent Reform Act of 2011) continues in the Senate through this week. The Senate voted to limit debate on Monday night, so the bill will come up for a vote as early as Tuesday, but no later than the end of this week.
The bill has been amended considerably over the last week, and currently contains many provisions that would improve the U.S. patent system and patent quality, including ending patent fee diversion.
However, there are still several provisions SIIA is concerned with, so we will continue to be heavily engaged on this issue through further Senate debate, as well as in the House.
As we reported in the past, the House is taking a more deliberative approach with respect to drafting and considering companion legislation in Committee. Stay tuned.
Also coming soon, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), one of the key congressional leaders on privacy, is expected to introduce privacy legislation soon, and follow with a hearing in his Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet next week.
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