BIO commends launch of US House patent reform process, but with reservations

Commenting on the introduction of the America Invents Act, HR 1249, in the US House of Representatives, USA-based Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) president and chief executive Jim Greenwood said: “BIO praises House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (Republican, Texas) for his introduction of a comprehensive patent reform bill similar to the bill adopted by the US Senate earlier this month by a nearly unanimous vote” (The Pharma Letter March 10).

He said: “The America Invents Act is a clear improvement over prior House versions of patent reform legislation. We are pleased that the legislation will end, once and for all, the diversion of fees collected by the US Patent and Trademark Office, allowing the agency to use all of its fees to hire more examiners, reduce the backlog of pending applications, and make other improvements to its operations. We also commend the inclusion in the bill of many other reforms that will improve the patent system and enhance patent quality, including transition to a “first-to-file” system, the elimination of other subjective elements of patent law, and a new supplemental examination proceeding for use by patent owners.”

Expresses concern with inter partes review changes