Congressman Tom Reed Wins Modifications To Patent Bill

Press Release

\The modifications to H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act, that Congressmen Tom Reed and Mike Michaud (D-ME) called for earlier this week have been included in the bill passed this afternoon by the Judiciary Committee. The America Invents Act will reform the U.S. patent system.

Congressmen Reed and Michaud asked for two changes to the bill -- 1) a higher "threshold" for initiating review of patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and 2) removal of provisions that would encourage stays of infringement lawsuits or International Trade Commission proceedings following the initiation of patent review proceedings.

"This is an important victory for innovative businesses both in the 29th District and nationwide," Reed said. "I thank the members of the Judiciary Committee for including our changes in the legislation. This will make it much more difficult for malicious organizations to delay and misuse the patent process for the purpose of stealing intellectual property."

Reed has been active on patent reform in the 112th Congress. He recently relinquished his seat on the Judiciary Committee to accept a seat on the House Rules Committee.

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