US senators introduce new patent reform bill
US senators yesterday introduced a new patent bill which is aimed at protecting and supporting inventors and innovators.
The bill, called the STRONGER (Support Technology & Research for Our Nation’s Growth and Economic Resilience) Patents Act, is an “improvement” on the STRONG Patents Act, which Senator Christopher Coons introduced during the last Congress.
The STRONG Patents Act aimed at making the post-issuance proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board more fair and efficient.
According to a press release, the STRONGER Patents Act seeks to strengthen the US patent system through implementing measures to make it easier and less costly for patent owners to enforce their patents.
“The value and importance of patents is astounding, contributing over $800 billion in value to the US economy and the source of millions of jobs for Americans,” said Coons, author of the STRONGER Patents Act.
He added: “This means working to ensure that a patent continues to play its historic role in enabling inventors and small businesses to get funding and protect their ideas from being copied by larger corporate infringers.”
In more practical terms, the STRONGER Patent Act aims to restore incentives for parties to reach licence agreements without going to court by reestablishing that patents are property rights, enforceable with injunctions.
It will also aim to help universities and small businesses access the patent system, bringing the next generation of breakthrough technologies, among others.
Senator Mazie Hirono said: “The STRONGER Patents Act supports innovation by restoring balance and improving quality in the patent process, and takes important steps to protect businesses harmed by abuses in patent litigation without placing unnecessary burdens on innovative start-ups, inventors, and universities.”
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