U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and U.S. Reps. Doug Collins (R-GA) and Steve Stivers (R-OH) on May 22 released a bipartisan, bicameral draft bill that would reform the Patent Act.
“We believe this draft framework represents a true balance that will restore integrity, predictability and stability to our nation’s patent system, while also preventing the issuance of overly broad patents,” said Sen. Tillis, who introduced the draft bill in his chamber with U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE).
“American innovation leads the world and drives our economy,” added Rep. Collins, ranking member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. “Unfortunately, bad actors like China are stealing our intellectual property and threatening our preeminence with their own massive investment in research and development in critical areas of technology. We must reform the patent system to ensure our nation remains number one in innovation.”
“Following months of discussions with my colleagues and stakeholders, this bipartisan discussion draft shows our commitment to reforms that unleash our nation’s game-changing innovation, instead of stifling it,” Rep. Stivers said. “This draft proposes crucial steps to reform our patent laws to better reflect the 21st century’s rapidly evolving scientific and technological advancements.”
The language contained in the draft bill text, which is subject to additional revision, would make several changes to the Patent Act, including expanding the term “useful” to mean any invention or discovery that provides specific and practical utility in any field of technology through human intervention, according to the text of the discussion draft.
Additionally, in Section 101, “Whoever invents or discovers any useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefore, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title,” according to the draft’s text.
Rep. Stivers noted that American startups in every industry “revolutionize technology usage and have the opportunity to propel our society forward with innovative discoveries and products, but we must work to protect these innovators with the ability to secure a patent that rewards their risk and investment.”