In Brief: Patent term restoration

Executive Summary

Patent term restoration: Unlimited extensions for time lost due to lengthy delays by the Patent & Trademark Office would be allowed under an amendment to Reps. Carlos Moorhead (R-Calif.) and Patricia Schroeder's (D-Colo.) patent restoration bill (HR 1733). Passed unanimously by the House Judiciary/intellectual property subcommittee during a May 15 markup, the amendment would provide unlimited extensions for lost patent time due to interference proceedings, appeals, or secrecy orders, as opposed to the 10-year cap originally proposed in HR 1733...