Senate Bills - 110th Congress

S. 1145—The Patent Reform Act of 2007

On April 18, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced S. 1145, the Patent Reform Act of 2007, to amend title 35, U.S. Code, to provide for sweeping patent reform. The bill, which has three co-sponsors, was referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE ACTION

On June 21, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary began mark up of S. 1145, the Patent Reform Act of 2007. The Committee approved a Manager’s Amendment offered by Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) to provide a complete substitute; further action will take place at a later date. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property marked up a companion measure, H.R. 1908, on May 16.

On July 12, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary continued its mark up of S. 1145, the Patent Reform Act of 2007. Although several amendments were adopted by voice vote, including a second Manager’s Amendment, action on the measure was not completed. (See Appendix for further details.) The Committee will continue its mark up of S. 1145 and additional amendments on July 19.

On July 19, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary (Senator Patrick Leahy [D-VT], Chairman) completed its mark up of S. 1145, the Patent Reform Act of 2007. Adopted was a Manager’s Amendment and an amendment offered by Senator Leahy aimed at limiting the “inequitable conduct” defense in patent infringement lawsuits.