Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; Mike Crapo, R-Idaho; James Risch, R-Idaho; Michael Enzi, R-Wyo.; and Robert Bennett, R-Utah, asked them to build on "careful compromises" reached when the panel approved the bill in April, 15-4. At the time, Leahy lost the support of Hatch, a key ally who was upset the amended version failed to address the issue of "inequitable conduct" claims at the Patent and Trademark Office.

Hatch, who chairs the Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force, said Wednesday that he voted against the bill because he "wanted to make sure patent reform was done right." Nonetheless, he said there were good provisions in the bill and he wants to make sure Leahy and Sessions are "vigilant in preserving what has been achieved." Stakeholders are divided over the bill's approach to administratively challenging a patent's validity after it is granted.

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