Patent Law Changes Approved by Panel

After all the years of stalemate, it seems as if Congress has finally made some initial progress in their efforts to overhaul the U.S. patent system.  Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved potential changes to U.S. patent laws by a 15-4 margin, reports CNNMoney.

One of the changes this bill would bring to the patent system is revising the calculations of damages in patent-infringement lawsuits.  The concept of a “gatekeeper,” to be played by judges, would be introduced and hopefully give judges clearer standards to use when rewarding damages.

However, not everyone is pleased with the bill.  Senator Orrin Hatch, co-sponsor of the Patent Reform Act of 2009, said the he “cannot support a bill that I know does not improve the status quo.”  Senator Jon Kyl complained that the approved revisions to this bill would actually make it easier to challenge patents, while Senator Tom Coburn objected because the bill doesn’t provide funding increases for the USPTO.

Technology and patent law groups have supported the compromised version, and Deputy General Counsel of Microsoft Horacio Gutierrez followed that trend.  He said, “Microsoft is pleased to support the Committee’s efforts and looks forward to more progress in this important matter.”

For those that are unaware, the House of Representatives passed patent law legislation in 2007, but a companion bill has failed to clear the Senate.  That fact may change in the near future.