US Senate Patent Reform Steps Forward

The United States Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday approved a slightly amended version of the Patent Reform Act of 2011.

The bill passed by a vote of 15-0 after two amendments were adopted, one making technical changes, and the other from from Sens. Diane Feinstein (Democrat, California) and John Kyl (Republican Arizona), which took out a provision on increased damages based on whether infringement was deemed wilful.

The bill, reintroduced after dying in the last Congress, would bring US patent law more in line with other countries. The bill must now go to the floor of the full Senate, which is not scheduled. Other amendments may be possible at that time.

The unofficial modified version is available here.