Patent Law Practice Center

Patent Reform Update: Senate Voted To Invoke Cloture on Patent Reform

It was no surprise that the Senate voted to invoke cloture on the America Invents Act by 93-5 . The next step is a limited debate on the House Bill, H.R. 1249, and a final vote.   You can watch the Debate live today at 11:30AM.  Here are some reactions to yesterday’s Senate vote…

1. Senate Votes to Invoke Cloture on H.R. 1249 (Patent Docs)

2. Cloture Vote on Patent Reform Act; Public Collectively Reaches for Dictionary (Patent Baristas)

3. Senate Votes 93-5 to End Debate on Patent Reform, Vote Imminent (IPWatchdog)

4. Senate Backs Americs Invents Act 93-5 (Patents Post Grant)

5. Coons pleased with Senate’s vote to move patent reform bill forward (WGMD.COM)

6. Senate Vote Advances Patent Reform To Final Hurdle (Pharma Patents)

7. Some Hope for the Patent Reforms (PatentlyO)

 

Patent Reform Update: Senate Eyes September Enactment For Patent Reform

Scott McKeown, Partner at Oblon Spivak and Practice Center Contributor, sent in this article discussing the status of the pending patent reform legislation.

Debt Ceiling Raised, Job Bills On Deck

With debt ceiling armageddon now averted in the 11th hour (depending upon your perspective), Congress has turned its attention to election season addressing the economy. As previously discussed, the patent reform legislation has long been touted as a “no cost economic stimulus” that will create jobs.

While there are differences with H.R. 1249 and S.23, most notably concerns over fee diversion, the Senate has indicated a willingness to accept the House bill.

Today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has identified patent reform as the first jobs bill to be taken up in the Fall term. To ensure quick enactment Senator Reid has indicated he will file cloture today (to remove the “hold”) so that the Senate can take up the bill immediately when the Senate convenes in September. (more…)