Hosted by LES USA-Canada's DC Chapter, Maryland State Bar Association’s IP Section and the Bar Association of Montgomery County’s IP Section

Current bills before the House and Senate can dramatically effect the state of patenting in the United States. As with the American Invents Act (AIA), touted to be a panacea to all but a bane to innovation, these bills, although directed at curing problems in the patent process, are being lobbied by big tech and others to instead further curtail the rights of U.S. inventors, particularly the small or independent inventor.

The first bill is the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA), which seeks to provide better clarity over patent subject matter eligibility under Section 101 of the Patent Act.

The second bill is the Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership (PREVAIL) Act to reform practices of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and promote fair treatment for inventors in these proceedings.