BIO Hopes Patent Bills Can Advance
An executive at the Biotechnology Industry Organization on Wednesday said his trade group is hopeful that a Senate bill aimed at updating the U.S. patent system will reach the floor and receive a favorable reaction from the House. BIO Vice President for Governmental Relations Brent Delmonte told reporters that a measure that passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in April is a "fair, responsible compromise." Chairman Patrick Leahy worked with Sens. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to smooth out contentious language that would alter how damages are awarded in patent infringement lawsuits. Previously divided industry stakeholders lauded the changes.
"We hope that type of process will replicate itself [in the House]," he said. House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers introduced a similar bill but his panel has yet to move the measure forward. A House Judiciary Republican aide told CongressDaily recently that there is a "real possibility" that legislation can advance without major changes even though damages language has yet to be tweaked in his chamber. "We'll see over the course of a few weeks whether we can reach a consensus," the aide said. "We've seen great ideas originate on both sides of the Capitol and in both parties," Delmonte said of damages proposals and efforts to adjust the system by which individuals can challenge an issued patent.
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