NEWS: Future of Patent Reform Remains Uncertain

March 30, 2008

The fate of patent reform legislation in the present (110th) Congress remains uncertain. Last year the House passed a broad patent reform bill. The Senate counterpart has not yet reached the floor because of controversies over apportionment of damages, a switch to first-to-file priority, and post-grant review. It is likely that Senate leadership will schedule a vote only when they have a draft that 60 Senators support.

Earlier this year, OIDA attempted to develop a position statement on patents, but found that there is not a consensus on reform among its board members.