,,ii  #aac? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #agbj  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,novemb] #ah1 #bjac,mr4
 ,leahy 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,lee1 ,mr4     
,:iteh\se1 & ,ms4 ,klobu*>7 introduc$ ! 
foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$  
to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y  ,a      
,,bill  ,to promote transp>5cy 9 pat5t  
own]%ip & make o!r improvem5ts to !     
pat5t sy/em1 & = o!r purposes4  #a4     
,%ort title2 table ( cont5ts  7a7 ,%ort 
title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,pat5t  
,transp>5cy & ,improvem5ts ,act ( #bjac4
  7b7 ,table ( cont5ts ,! table (       
cont5ts = ?is ,act is z foll[s3 ,sec4   
#a4 ,%ort title2 table ( cont5ts4,sec4  
#b4 ,def9itions4,sec4 #c4 ,transp>5cy ( 
pat5t own]%ip4,sec4 #d4 ,cu/om]         
/ay4,sec4 #e4 ,bad-fai? dem&            
lett]s4,sec4 #f4 ,small bus9ess         
education1 outrea*1 & in=mation         
access4,sec4 #g4 ,improv$ po/-issuance  
proc$ures4,sec4 #h4 ,protection (       
intellectual-prop]ty lic5ses 9          
bankruptcy4,sec4 #i4 ,codification ( !  

d\ble-pat5t+ doctr9e =                  
fir/-inv5tor-to-file pat5ts4,sec4 #aj4  
,te*nical corrections to ! ,leahy-,smi? 
,am]ica ,inv5ts ,act4,sec4 #aa4         
,reports4,sec4 #ab4 ,effective date4    
#b4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3 7#a7       
,director ,! t]m ,director means ! ,"u  
,secret>y ( ,comm]ce = ,intellectual    
,prop]ty & ,director ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates  
,pat5t & ,tradem>k ,(fice4  7#b7 ,(fice 
,! t]m ,(fice means ! ,unit$ ,/ates     
,pat5t & ,tradem>k ,(fice4  #c4         
,transp>5cy ( pat5t own]%ip  7a7        
,judicial proce$+s  7#a7 ,9 g5]al       
,section #bha ( title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 by /rik+ ,a     
pat5tee & ins]t+ 7a7 ,9 g5]al4--,a      
pat5tee2 &  7,b7 by add+ at ! end !     
foll[+3  7b7 ,initial disclosure ,! c\rt
 %all require a pat5tee :o has fil$ a   
civil action "u subsection 7a7 to       
disclose to ! c\rt & to all adv]se      
p>ties1 any p]sons1 associations (      
p]sons1 firms1 p>tn]%ips1 corporations  
7includ+ p>5t corporations71 or o!r     

entities o!r ?an ! pat5tee itself kn[n  
by ! pat5tee to h-- 7#a7 a f9ancial     
int]e/ 7( any k9d7 9 ! subject matt] 9  
controv]sy or 9 a p>ty to ! proce$+2 or 
7#b7 any o!r k9d ( int]e/ t c\ld be     
sub/antially affect$ by ! outcome ( !   
proce$+4  7c7 ,def9itions ,= purposes ( 
?is section1 ! t]ms proce$+ & f9ancial  
int]e/ h ! mean+ giv5 ^? t]ms 9 section 
#dee7;d7 ( title #bh4  4  7#b7 ,te*nical
 & con=m+ am5dm5t ,section #bij ( title 
#ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ 9 !  
fir/ s5t5ce by ins]t+ aft] inv5tor1 !   
foll[+3 any in=mation t a pat5tee has   
publicly disclos$ "u section #bha7;b714 
7b7 ,pat5t & ,tradem>k ,(fice proce$+s  
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #bf ( title #ce1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+3  #bfc4 ,disclosure (   
in=mation relat+ to pat5t own]%ip  7a7  
,def9itions ,9 ?is section-- 7#a7 ! t]m 
p]iod ( noncompliance ref]s to a p]iod (
 "t dur+ :i* ! ultimate p>5t entity ( an
 assignee ( a pat5t has n be5 disclos$  
to ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,pat5t & ,tradem>k   

,(fice 9 accordance ) ?is section2 &    
7#b7 ! t]m ultimate p>5t entity has !   
mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 section              
#hja4a7;a77#c7 ( title #af1 ,code (     
,f$]al ,regulations1 or any successor   
regulation4  7b7 ,requirem5t ,to        
disclose assignm5t ,an assignm5t ( all  
sub/antial rights 9 an issu$ pat5t t    
results 9 a *ange to ! ultimate p>5t    
entity %all be record$ 9 ! ,pat5t &     
,tradem>k ,(fice )9 #c mon?s ( !        
assignm5t4  7c7 ,disclosure requirem5ts 
,a disclosure "u subsection 7b7 %all    
include ! "n ( ! assignee & ! ultimate  
p>5t entity ( ! assignee4  7d7 ,failure 
,to comply ,if subsection 7b7 has n be5 
compli$ ) ) respect to a pat5t1 9 a     
civil action 9 :i* a p>ty ass]ts a claim
 = infr+em5t ( ! pat5t-- 7#a7 ! p>ty    
ass]t+ infr+em5t ( ! pat5t may n recov] 
increas$ damages "u section #bhd or     
attorney fees "u section #bhe ) respect 
to infr++ activities tak+ place dur+ any
 p]iod ( noncompliance2 &  7#b7 ! c\rt  
%all aw>d a prevail+ accus$ infr+]      

reasonable attorney fees & exp5ses      
incurr$ 9 discov]+ any previ\sly        
undisclos$ ultimate p>5t entities 9 !   
*a9 ( title4  4  7#b7 ,applicability ,! 
am5dm5t made by p>agraph 7#a7 %all apply
 to any pat5t issu$ on or aft] ! date ( 
enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7#c7 ,con=m+      
am5dm5t ,! table ( sections = *apt] #bf 
( title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is    
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new     
item3  #bfc4 ,disclosure ( in=mation    
relat+ to pat5t own]%ip4  4  #d4 ,cu/om]
 /ay  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #bi ( title   
#ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by   
add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new section3     
#bii;,a4 ,cu/om] /ay  7a7 ,def9itions ,9
 ?is section-- 7#a7 ! t]m cov]$ cu/om]  
means a p>ty accus$ ( infr++ a pat5t or 
pat5ts 9 dispute bas$ on a cov]$ product
 or process2  7#b7 ! t]m cov]$          
manufactur] means a p]son :o            
manufactures or supplies1 or causes !   
manufacture or supply (1 a cov]$ product
 or process1 or a relevant "p !re(2 &   
7#c7 ! t]m cov]$ product or process     

means a compon5t1 product1 process1     
sy/em1 s]vice1 me?od1 or a relevant "p  
!re(1 t-- 7,a7 is alleg$ to infr+e !    
pat5t or pat5ts 9 dispute2 or  7,b7     
implem5ts a process alleg$ to infr+e !  
pat5t or pat5ts 9 dispute4  7b7 ,motion 
= /ay ,9 a civil action 9 :i* a p>ty    
ass]ts a claim = relief aris+ "u any    
,act ( ,congress relat+ to pat5ts 7o!r  
?an an action t includes a cause (      
action describ$ 9 section #bga7;e7 ( ?is
 title71 ! c\rt %all grant a motion to  
/ay at lea/ ! portion ( ! action aga9/ a
 cov]$ cu/om] t relates to infr+em5t ( a
 pat5t involv+ a cov]$ product or       
process if-- 7#a7 ! cov]$ manufactur] & 
! cov]$ cu/om] cons5t 9 writ+ to ! /ay2 
7#b7 ! cov]$ manufactur] is a p>ty to ! 
action or a sep>ate action involv+ !    
same pat5t or pat5ts relat+ to ! same   
cov]$ product or process2  7#c7 ! cov]$ 
cu/om] agrees to be b\nd "u ! pr9ciples 
( collat]al e/oppel by any issues f9ally
 decid$ z to ! cov]$ manufactur] 9 an   
action describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 t !     

cov]$ cu/om] has 9 common ) ! cov]$     
manufactur]2 &  7#d7 ! motion is fil$   
aft] ! fir/ plead+ 9 ! action b n lat]  
?an ! lat] (-- 7,a7 #abj days aft]      
s]vice ( ! fir/ plead+ 9 ! action t     
specifically id5tifies ! cov]$ product  
or process z a basis = ! alleg$         
infr+em5t ( ! pat5t by ! cov]$ cu/om]1 &
 specifically id5tifies h[ ! cov]$      
product or process is alleg$ to infr+e !
 pat5t2 or  7,b7 ! date on :i* ! fir/   
s*$ul+ ord] 9 ! case is ent]$4  7c7     
,applicability ,a /ay issu$ "u          
subsection 7b7 %all apply only to ^?    
ass]t$ pat5ts & products1 sy/ems1       
me?ods1 or compon5ts accus$ ( infr+em5t 
9 ! action4  7d7 ,lift ( /ay  7#a7 ,9   
g5]al ,a /ay ent]$ "u ?is section may be
 lift$ ^u grant ( a motion bas$ on a %[+
 t-- 7,a7 ! action involv+ ! cov]$      
manufactur] w n resolve a major issue 9 
suit aga9/ ! cov]$ cu/om]2 or  7,b7 !   
/ay unreasonably prejudices & w\ld be   
manife/ly unju/ to ! p>ty seek+ to lift 
! /ay4  7#b7 ,sep>ate actions ,9 ! case 

( a /ay ent]$ "u ?is section bas$ on !  
p>ticipation ( ! cov]$ manufactur] 9 a  
sep>ate action describ$ 9 subsection    
7b77#b71 a motion "u p>agraph 7#a7 may  
only be grant$ if ! c\rt 9 su* sep>ate  
action det]m9es t ! %[+ requir$ "u      
p>agraph 7#a7 has be5 made4  7e7 ,waiv] 
( e/oppel effect ,if1 foll[+ ! grant ( a
 motion to /ay "u ?is section1 ! cov]$  
manufactur] 9 an action describ$ 9      
subsection 7b77#b7-- 7#a7 seeks or      
cons5ts to entry ( a cons5t judgm5t     
involv+ "o or m ( ! common issues t gave
 rise to ! /ay2 or  7#b7 fails to       
prosecute1 to a f9al1 non-appealable    
judgm5t1 a f9al decision z to "o or m ( 
! common issues t gave rise to ! /ay1  !
 c\rt may1 ^u motion1 det]m9e t su*     
cons5t judgm5t or unappeal$ f9al        
decision %all n be b9d+ on ! cov]$      
cu/om] ) respect to "o or m ( su* common
 issues bas$ on a %[+ t su* an outcome  
w\ld unreasonably prejudice & be        
manife/ly unju/ to ! cov]$ cu/om] 9     
light ( ! circum/ances ( ! case4  7f7   

,rule ( con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is section 
%all be con/ru$ to limit ! ability ( a  
c\rt to grant any /ay1 exp& any /ay     
grant$ pursuant to ?is section1 or grant
 any motion to int]v5e1 if o!rwise      
p]mitt$ by law4  4  7b7 ,con=m+ am5dm5t 
,! table ( sections = *apt] #bi ( title 
#ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by   
add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new item3        
#bii;,a4 ,cu/om] /ay4  4  #e4 ,bad-fai? 
dem& lett]s  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #bi (  
title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ 
by section #d ( ?is ,act1 is am5d$ by   
add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  #bii;,b4       
,bad-fai? dem& lett]s  7a7 ,def9ition ,9
 ?is section1 ! t]m affiliat$ p]son     
means a p]son affiliat$ ) ! int5d$      
recipi5t ( a writt5 communication4  7b7 
,unfair or deceptive acts or practices  
,x %all be an unfair or deceptive act or
 practice )9 ! mean+ ( section          
#e7;a77#a7 ( ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission
 ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #de7;a77#a77 = a   
p]son1 9 connection ) ! ass]tion ( a    
,unit$ ,/ates pat5t1 to engage 9 !      

widespread s5d+ ( writt5 communications 
t /ate t ! int5d$ recipi5ts or any      
affiliat$ p]sons are infr++ or h infr+$ 
! pat5t & be> liability or owe          
comp5sation to ano!r1 if-- 7#a7 !       
communications falsely ?reat5 t         
adm9i/rative or judicial relief w be    
s\ght if comp5sation is n paid or !     
infr+em5t issue is n o!rwise resolv$2   
7#b7 ! ass]tions conta9$ 9 !            
communications lack a reasonable basis 9
 fact or law1 includ+1 = example1       
because-- 7,a7 ! p]son ass]t+ ! pat5t is
 n a p]son1 or does n repres5t a p]son1 
) ! curr5t "r to lic5se ! pat5t to1 or  
to en=ce ! pat5t aga9/1 ! int5d$        
recipi5ts or any affiliat$ p]sons2 or   
7,b7 ! communications seek comp5sation  
on acc\nt ( activities und]tak5 aft] !  
pat5t has expir$2 or  7#c7 ! cont5t ( ! 
writt5 communications is likely to      
mat]ially mislead a reasonable recipi5t1
 includ+1 = example1 because ! cont5t   
fails to include su* facts reasonably   
necess>y to in=m ! recipi5t (-- 7,a7 !  

id5tity ( ! p]son ass]t+ a "r to lic5se 
! pat5t to1 or en=ce ! pat5t aga9/1 !   
int5d$ recipi5t or any affiliat$ p]son2 
7,b7 ! pat5t issu$ by ! ,unit$ ,/ates   
,pat5t & ,tradem>k ,(fice alleg$ to h   
be5 infr+$2 &  7,c7 ! reasons = !       
ass]tion t ! pat5t may be or may h be5  
infr+$4  7c7 ,en=cem5t by ,f$]al ,trade 
,commission  7#a7 ,violation ( rule ,!  
engag+ ( a p]son 9 an act or practice   
describ$ 9 subsection 7b7 %all be treat$
 z a violation ( a rule def9+ an unfair 
or deceptive act or practice describ$ "u
 section #ah7;a77#a77;,b7 ( ! ,f$]al    
,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4  
#eg;a7a77#a77;,b774  7#b7 ,p[]s (       
commission ,! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission 
%all en=ce ?is section 9 ! same mann]1  
by ! same means1 & ) ! same             
jurisdiction1 p[]s1 & duties z ?\gh all 
applicable t]ms & provisions ( ! ,f$]al 
,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4  
#da et seq47 7 incorporat$ into & made a
 "p ( ?is section4  7#c7 ,privileges &  
immunities ,any p]son :o engages 9 an   

act or practice describ$ 9 subsection   
7b7 %all be subject to ! p5alties &     
entitl$ to ! privileges & immunities    
provid$ 9 ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission   
,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #da et seq474  4    
7b7 ,te*nical & con=m+ am5dm5t ,! table 
( sections = *apt] #bi ( title #ce1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by section 
#d ( ?is ,act1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end
 ! foll[+3  ,sec4 #bii;,b4 ,bad-fai?    
dem& lett]s4  4  7c7 ,rule ( con/ruction
 ,no?+ 9 any am5dm5t made by ?is section
 %all be con/ru$ to limit ! au?ority ( !
 ,f$]al ,trade ,commission "u any o!r   
provision ( law or to provide ! ,f$]al  
,trade ,commission ) any additional     
au?ority4  #f4 ,small bus9ess education1
 outrea*1 & in=mation access  7a7 ,small
 bus9ess education & outrea*  7#a7      
,res\rces = small bus9ess ,us+ exi/+    
res\rces1 ! ,director %all develop      
educational res\rces = small bus9esses  
to address conc]ns aris+ f pat5t        
infr+em5t4  7#b7 ,small ,bus9ess ,pat5t 
,ombudsman ,! ,pat5t ,ombudsman ,program

 e/abli%$ "u section #bh ( !            
,leahy-,smi? ,am]ica ,inv5ts ,act 7#ce  
,u4,s4,c4 #b note7 %all coord9ate ) !   
exi/+ small bus9ess outrea* programs ( !
 ,(fice to provide education & aw>5ess  
on abusive pat5t litigation practices4  
7b7 ,improv+ ,in=mation ,transp>5cy =   
,small ,bus9ess & ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,pat5t
 & ,tradem>k ,(fice us]s  7#a7 ,web site
 ,us+ exi/+ res\rces1 ! ,director %all  
create a us]-fri5dly section on !       
(ficial ,web site ( ! ,(fice to notify !
 public :5 a pat5t case is br\ght 9     
,f$]al c\rt & ) respect to ea* pat5t at 
issue 9 su* case1 ! ,director %all      
include-- 7,a7 in=mation disclos$       
pursuant to section #bij ( title #ce1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by section 
#c7;b7 ( ?is ,act2 &  7,b7 any in=mation
 ! ,director det]m9es to be relevant4   
7#b7 ,=mat ,9 ord] to promote           
accessibility = ! public1 ! in=mation   
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 %all be        
se>*able by pat5t numb]1 pat5t art area1
 & entity4  #g4 ,improv$ po/-issuance   

proc$ures  7a7 ,po/-,grant review       
am5dm5t ,section #cbe7;e77#b7 ( title   
#ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by   
/rik+ or reasonably c\ld h rais$4  7b7  
,use ( di/rict-,c\rt claim con/ruction 9
 po/-,grant & int] p>tes reviews  7#a7  
,int] p>tes review ,section #caf7;a7 (  
title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is      
am5d$-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#ab71 by /rik+ 
2 & & ins]t+ a semicolon2  7,b7 9       
p>agraph 7#ac71 by /rik+ ! p]iod at !   
end & ins]t+ 2 &2 &  7,c7 by add+ at !  
end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#ad7       
provid+ t = all purposes "u ?is *apt]-- 
7,a7 ea* claim ( a pat5t %all be con/ru$
 z su* claim w\ld be 9 a civil action to
 invalidate a pat5t "u section #bhb7;b71
 includ+ con/ru+ ea* claim ( ! pat5t 9  
accordance ) ! ord9>y & cu/om>y mean+ ( 
su* claim z und]/ood by "o ( ord9>y     
skill 9 ! art & ! prosecution hi/ory    
p]ta9+ to ! pat5t2 &  7,b7 if a c\rt has
 previ\sly con/ru$ ! claim or a claim   
t]m 9 a civil action 9 :i* ! pat5t own] 
0 a p>ty1 ! ,(fice %all consid] su*     

claim con/ruction4  4  7#b7 ,po/-grant  
review ,section #cbf7;a7 ( title #ce1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 9  
p>agraph 7#aa71 by /rik+ 2 & & ins]t+ a 
semicolon2  7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#ab71 by   
/rik+ ! p]iod at ! end & ins]t+ 2 &2 &  
7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new      
p>agraph3  7#ac7 provid+ t = all        
purposes "u ?is *apt]-- 7,a7 ea* claim (
 a pat5t %all be con/ru$ z su* claim    
w\ld be 9 a civil action to invalidate a
 pat5t "u section #bhb7;b71 includ+     
con/ru+ ea* claim ( ! pat5t 9 accordance
 ) ! ord9>y & cu/om>y mean+ ( su* claim 
z und]/ood by "o ( ord9>y skill 9 ! art 
& ! prosecution hi/ory p]ta9+ to !      
pat5t2 &  7,b7 if a c\rt has previ\sly  
con/ru$ ! claim or a claim t]m 9 a civil
 action 9 :i* ! pat5t own] 0 a p>ty1 !  
,(fice %all consid] su* claim           
con/ruction4  4  7#c7 ,te*nical & con=m+
 am5dm5t ,section #ah7;a77#a77;,a7 ( !  
,leahy-,smi? ,am]ica ,inv5ts ,act       
7,public ,law #aab-bi2 #abf ,/at4 #cbi7 
is am5d$ by /rik+ ,section #cba7;c7 &   

ins]t+ ,sections #cba7;c7 &             
#cbf7;a77#ac74  7#d7 ,effective date ,! 
am5dm5ts made by ?is subsection %all    
take effect ^u ! expiration ( ! #ij-;day
 p]iod beg9n+ on ! date ( ! enactm5t (  
?is ,act1 & %all apply to any proce$+ "u
 *apt] #ca or #cb ( title #ce1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 = :i* ! petition = review 
is fil$ on or aft] su* effective date4  
#h4 ,protection ( intellectual-prop]ty  
lic5ses 9 bankruptcy  7a7 ,9 g5]al      
,section #aebj7;a7 ( title #aa1 ,unit$  
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph
 7#c71 by /rik+ 2 & & ins]t+ a          
semicolon2  7#b7 9 p>agraph 7#d71 by    
/rik+ ! p]iod at ! end & ins]t+ 2 &2 &  
7#c7 by ins]t+ at ! end ! foll[+ new    
p>agraph3  7#e7 section #cfe7n7 applies 
to intellectual prop]ty ( :i* ! debtor  
is a lic5sor or :i* ! debtor has        
transf]r$4  4  7b7 ,tradem>ks  7#a7 ,9  
g5]al ,section #aja7ce;,a7 ( title #aa1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 9  
subp>agraph 7,e71 by /rik+ or2  7,b7 9  
subp>agraph 7,f71 by /rik+ title #ag2 & 

ins]t+ title #ag2 or2 &  7,c7 by add+   
aft] subp>agraph 7,f7 ! foll[+ new      
subp>agraph3 7,g7 tradem>k1 s]vice m>k1 
or trade "n1 z def9$ 9 section #aabg (  
title #ae24  7#b7 ,con=m+ am5dm5t       
,section #cfe7n77#b7 ( title #aa1 ,unit$
 ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 9        
subp>agraph 7,b7-- 7i7 by /rik+ royalty 
paym5ts & ins]t+ royalty or o!r paym5ts2
 &  7ii7 by /rik+ & :]e x appe>s aft] ! 
semicolon2  7,b7 9 subp>agraph 7,c71 by 
/rik+ ! p]iod & ins]t+ 2 &2 &  7,c7 by  
add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new subp>agraph3 
7,d7 9 ! case ( a tradem>k1 s]vice m>k1 
or trade "n1 ! tru/ee %all n be reliev$ 
( a contractual obligation to monitor & 
control ! quality ( a lic5s$ product or 
s]vice4  4  7c7 ,effective date ,!      
am5dm5ts made by ?is section %all take  
effect on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act
 & %all apply to any case t is p5d+ on1 
or = :i* a petition or compla9t is fil$ 
on or aft]1 su* date ( enactm5t4  #i4   
,codification ( ! d\ble-pat5t+ doctr9e =
 fir/-inv5tor-to-file pat5ts  7a7       

,am5dm5t ,*apt] #aj ( title #ce1 ,unit$ 
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end 
! foll[+ new section3  #ajf4 ,prior art 
9 cases ( d\ble pat5t+ ,a claim$        
inv5tion ( a pat5t issu$ "u section #aea
 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section z ! fir/      
pat5t7 t is n prior art to a claim$     
inv5tion ( ano!r pat5t 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is 
section z ! second pat5t7 %all be       
consid]$ prior art to ! claim$ inv5tion 
( ! second pat5t = ! purpose ( det]m9+ !
 nonobvi\sness ( ! claim$ inv5tion ( !  
second pat5t "u section #ajc if-- 7#a7 !
 claim$ inv5tion ( ! fir/ pat5t 0       
effectively fil$ "u section #ajb7;d7 on 
or be=e ! effective fil+ date ( ! claim$
 inv5tion ( ! second pat5t2  7#b7 ei!r--
 7,a7 ! fir/ pat5t & ! second pat5t "n !
 same inv5tor2 or  7,b7 ! claim$        
inv5tion ( ! fir/ pat5t w\ld con/itute  
prior art to ! claim$ inv5tion ( !      
second pat5t "u section #ajb7;a77#b7 if 
an exception "u section #ajb7;b77#b7 7  
deem$ to be inapplicable & ! claim$     
inv5tion ( ! fir/ pat5t 01 or 7 deem$ to

 be1 effectively fil$ "u section        
#ajb7;d7 be=e ! effective fil+ date ( ! 
claim$ inv5tion ( ! second pat5t2 &     
7#c7 ! pat5tee ( ! second pat5t has n   
disclaim$ ! rights to en=ce ! second    
pat5t indep5d5tly f1 & beyond ! /atutory
 t]m (1 ! fir/ pat5t4  4  7b7           
,regulations ,! ,director %all          
promulgate regulations sett+ =? ! =m &  
cont5t ( any disclaim] requir$ = a pat5t
 to be issu$ 9 compliance ) section #ajf
 ( title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z    
add$ by subsection 7a74 ,su* regulations
 %all apply to any disclaim] fil$ aft] a
 pat5t has issu$4 ,a disclaim]1 :5 fil$1
 %all be consid]$ = ! purpose ( det]m9+ 
! validity ( ! pat5t "u section #ajf (  
title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  7c7    
,con=m+ am5dm5t ,! table ( sections =   
*apt] #aj ( title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !      
foll[+ new item3  #ajf4 ,prior art 9    
cases ( d\ble pat5t+4  4  7d7 ,exclusive
 rule ,a pat5t subject to section #ajf (
 title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ 

by subsection 7a71 %all n be held       
invalid on any non/atutory1 d\ble-pat5t+
 gr\nd4  7e7 ,effective date ,! am5dm5ts
 made by ?is section %all take effect on
 ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & %all  
apply to a pat5t or pat5t application   
only if bo? ! fir/ & second pat5ts      
describ$ 9 section #ajf ( title #ce1    
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by          
subsection 7a71 are pat5ts or pat5t     
applications t are describ$ 9 section   
#c7n77#a7 ( ! ,leahy-,smi? ,am]ica      
,inv5ts ,act 7#ce ,u4,s4,c4 #ajj note74 
#aj4 ,te*nical corrections to !         
,leahy-,smi? ,am]ica ,inv5ts ,act  7a7  
,te*nical corrections  7#a7 ,inv5tor's  
oa? or decl>ation  7,a7 ,am5dm5t        
,section #aae7;g77#a7 ( title #ce1      
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7i7 9 ! 
matt] prec$+ subp>agraph 7,a71 by /rik+ 
claims ! b5efit & ins]t+ is entitl$1 z  
to ea* inv5tion claim$ 9 ! application1 
to ! b5efit2 &  7ii7 9 subp>agraph 7,a71
 by /rik+ meet+ ! requirem5ts (         
subsection 7a7 0 execut$ by ! individual

 & 0 fil$ 9 connection ) ! e>li]-fil$   
application & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 execut$  
by or on behalf ( ! individual 0 fil$ 9 
connection ) ! e>li]-fil$ application & 
meets ! requirem5ts ( ?is section z     
effective on ! date su* oa? or          
decl>ation 0 fil$4  7,b7 ,effective date
 ,! am5dm5t made by subp>agraph 7,a7    
%all be effective z if includ$ 9 !      
am5dm5t made by section #d7;a77#a7 ( !  
,leahy-,smi? ,am]ica ,inv5ts ,act       
7,public ,law #aab-bi2 #abe ,/at4 #bic74
  7#b7 ,novelty  7,a7 ,am5dm5t ,section 
#ajb7;b77#a77;,a7 ( title #ce1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ !       
inv5tor or jo9t inv5tor or by ano!r &   
ins]t+ ! inv5tor or a jo9t inv5tor or   
ano!r4  7,b7 ,effective date ,! am5dm5t 
made by subp>agraph 7,a7 %all be        
effective z if includ$ 9 ! am5dm5t made 
by section #c7;b77#a7 ( ! ,leahy-,smi?  
,am]ica ,inv5ts ,act 7,public ,law      
#aab-bi2 #abe ,/at4 #bhe74  7#c7        
,assignee fil]s  7,a7 ,b5efit ( e>li]   
fil+ date2 "r ( priority ,section       

#aai7;e77#a7 ( title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates 
,code1 is am5d$1 9 ! fir/ s5t5ce1 by    
/rik+ by an inv5tor or inv5tors nam$ &  
ins]t+ t names ! inv5tor or a jo9t      
inv5tor4  7,b7 ,b5efit ( e>li] fil+ date
 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,section #abj ( title
 #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$1 9 !
 fir/ s5t5ce1 by /rik+ names an inv5tor 
or jo9t inv5tor & ins]t+ names ! inv5tor
 or a jo9t inv5tor4  7,c7 ,effective    
date ,! am5dm5ts made by ?is p>agraph   
%all take effect on ! date ( ! enactm5t 
( ?is ,act & %all apply to any pat5t    
application1 & any pat5t issu+ f su*    
application1 t is fil$ on or aft]       
,septemb] #af1 #bjab4  7#d7 ,d]iv$      
pat5ts  7,a7 ,am5dm5t ,section #bia7;b7 
( title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is    
am5d$ by /rik+ or jo9t inv5tor & ins]t+ 
or a jo9t inv5tor4  7,b7 ,effective date
 ,! am5dm5t made by subp>agraph 7,a7    
%all be effective z if includ$ 9 !      
am5dm5t made by section #c7;h77#a7 ( !  
,leahy-,smi? ,am]ica ,inv5ts ,act       
7,public ,law #aab-bi2 #abe ,/at4 #bhh74

  7#e7 ,specification ,not)/&+ section  
#d7;e7 ( ! ,leahy-,smi? ,am]ica ,inv5ts 
,act 7,public ,law #aab-bi2 #abe ,/at4  
#big71 ! am5dm5ts made by subsections   
7c7 & 7d7 ( section #d ( su* ,act %all  
apply to any proce$+ or matt]1 t is p5d+
 on1 or fil$ on or aft]1 ! date ( !     
enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7#f7 ,pat5t own]  
response  7,a7 ,conduct ( int] p>tes    
review ,section #caf7;a77#h7 ( title    
#ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by   
/rik+ ! petition "u section #cac &      
ins]t+ ! petition "u section #caa4  7,b7
 ,conduct ( po/-grant review ,section   
#cbf7;a77#h7 ( title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates 
,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ ! petition "u  
section #cbc & ins]t+ ! petition "u     
section #cba4  7,c7 ,effective date ,!  
am5dm5ts made by ?is p>agraph %all take 
effect on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is     
,act4  7#g7 ,"t limit = comm5c+         
misconduct proce$+s  7,a7 ,am5dm5t ,!   
f\r? s5t5ce ( section #cb ( title #ce1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+  
#a ye> & ins]t+ #b ye>s4  7,b7          

,effective date ,! am5dm5t made by ?is  
p>agraph %all apply to any action 9 :i* 
! ,(fice files a compla9t on or aft] !  
date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  #aa4       
,reports  7a7 ,/udy on ,second>y ,m>ket 
,ov]sight = ,pat5t ,transactions ,to    
,promote ,transp>5cy & ,e?ical ,bus9ess 
,practices  7#a7 ,/udy requir$ ,!       
,director1 9 consultation ) ! ,secret>y 
( ,comm]ce1 ! ,secret>y ( ! ,treasury1 !
 ,*airman ( ! ,securities & ,ex*ange    
,commission1 ! heads ( o!r relevant     
ag5cies1 & int]e/$ p>ties1 %all1 us+    
exi/+ res\rces ( ! ,(fice1 conduct a    
/udy-- 7,a7 to develop legislative      
recomm5dations to ensure great]         
transp>5cy & acc\ntability 9 pat5t      
transactions occurr+ on ! second>y      
m>ket2  7,b7 to exam9e ! economic impact
 t ! pat5t second>y m>ket has on !      
,unit$ ,/ates2  7,c7 to exam9e lic5s+ & 
o!r ov]sight requirem5ts t may be plac$ 
on ! pat5t second>y m>ket1 includ+ on ! 
p>ticipants 9 su* m>kets1 to ensure t ! 
m>ket is a level play+ field & t brok]s 

9 ! m>ket h ! requisite exp]tise & adh]e
 to e?ical bus9ess practices2 &  7,d7 to
 exam9e ! requirem5ts plac$ on o!r      
m>kets4  7#b7 ,submission ( /udy ,n lat]
 ?an #a ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t (  
?is ,act1 ! ,director %all submit a     
report to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( 
! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,committee
 on ! ,judici>y ( ! ,s5ate on ! f9d+s & 
recomm5dations ( ! ,director f ! /udy   
requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a74  7b7 ,/udy on 
pat5ts own$ by ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t
  7#a7 ,/udy requir$ ,! ,director1 9    
consultation ) ! heads ( relevant       
ag5cies & int]e/$ p>ties1 %all1 us+     
exi/+ res\rces ( ! ,(fice1 conduct a    
/udy on pat5ts own$ by ! ,unit$ ,/ates  
,gov]nm5t t-- 7,a7 exam9es h[ su* pat5ts
 are lic5s$ & sold1 ) ref]5ce to any    
litigation relat+ to ! lic5s+ or sale ( 
su* pat5ts2  7,b7 provides legislative &
 adm9i/rative recomm5dations on :e!r !re
 %\ld be re/rictions plac$ on pat5ts    
acquir$ f ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t2    
7,c7 exam9es :e!r or n ea* relevant     

ag5cy ma9ta9s adequate records on !     
pat5ts own$ by su* ag5cy1 specifically  
:e!r su* ag5cy addresses lic5s+1        
assignm5t1 & ,gov]nm5t grants =         
te*nology relat$ to su* pat5ts2 &  7,d7 
provides recomm5dations to ensure t ea* 
relevant ag5cy has an adequate po9t (   
contact t is responsible = manag+ !     
pat5t portfolio ( ! ag5cy4  7#b7 ,report
 on /udy ,n lat] ?an #f mon?s aft] !    
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !         
,director %all submit to ! ,committee on
 ! ,judici>y ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives
 & ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( !      
,s5ate a report on ! f9d+s &            
recomm5dations ( ! ,director f ! /udy   
requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a74  7c7 ,/udy on 
,pat5t ,quality & ,access to ! ,be/     
,in=mation dur+ ,exam9ation  7#a7 ,,gao 
/udy ,! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$   
,/ates %all conduct a /udy on pat5t     
exam9ation at ! ,(fice & ! te*nologies  
available to improve exam9ation &       
improve pat5t quality4  7#b7 ,cont5ts ( 
! /udy ,! /udy requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 

%all include ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,an         
exam9ation ( pat5t quality at ! ,(fice4 
7,b7 ,an exam9ation ( ways to improve   
quality1 specifically ?r\gh te*nology1 t
 %all include exam9+ be/ practices at   
=eign pat5t (fices & ! use ( exi/+      
(f-!-%elf te*nologies to improve pat5t  
exam9ation4  7,c7 ,a description ( h[   
pat5ts are classifi$4  7,d7 ,an         
exam9ation ( proc$ures 9 place to prev5t
 d\ble pat5t+ ?r\gh fil+ by applicants 9
 multiple art areas4  7,e7 ,an          
exam9ation ( ! types ( (f-!-%elf prior  
art databases & se>* s(tw>e us$ by =eign
 pat5t (fices & gov]nm5ts1 p>ticul>ly 9 
,europe & ,asia1 & :e!r ^? databases &  
se>* tools c\ld be us$ by ! ,(fice to   
improve pat5t exam9ation4  7,f7 ,an     
exam9ation ( any o!r areas ! ,comptroll]
 ,g5]al det]m9es to be relevant4  7#c7  
,report to ,congress ,n lat] ?an #f     
mon?s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is    
,act1 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al %all submit  
to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( ! ,h\se
 ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,committee on !  

,judici>y ( ! ,s5ate a report on ! f9d+s
 & recomm5dations f ! /udy requir$ by   
?is subsection1 includ+ recomm5dations =
 any *anges to laws & regulations t w   
improve ! exam9ation ( pat5t            
applications & pat5t quality4  7d7 ,/udy
 on ,pat5t ,small ,claims ,c\rt  7#a7   
,/udy requir$  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!         
,director ( ! ,adm9i/rative ,(fice ( !  
,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rts1 9 consultation ) !
 ,director ( ! ,f$]al ,judicial ,c5t]1  
%all1 us+ exi/+ res\rces1 conduct a /udy
 to exam9e ! idea ( develop+ a pilot    
program = pat5t small claims c\rts 9    
c]ta9 judicial di/ricts )9 ! exi/+ pat5t
 pilot program m&at$ by ,public ,law    
#aaa-cdi 7#bh ,u4,s4,c4 #acg note74     
7,b7 ,cont5ts ( /udy ,! /udy conduct$ "u
 subp>agraph 7,a7 %all exam9e-- 7i7 !   
numb] & qualifications = judges t c\ld  
s]ve on ! c\rts describ$ 9 subp>agraph  
7,a72  7ii7 h[ ! c\rts describ$ 9       
subp>agraph 7,a7 w\ld be designat$ & !  
necess>y crit]ia2  7iii7 ! co/s t w\ld  
be incurr$ = e/abli%+1 ma9ta9+ & op]at+ 

! pilot program describ$ 9 subp>agraph  
7,a72 &  7iv7 ! /eps t w\ld be tak5 to  
ensure t ! pilot small claims c\rts are 
n misus$ = abusive pat5t litigation4    
7#b7 ,report ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] !  
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !         
,director ( ! ,adm9i/rative ,(fice ( !  
,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rts %all submit a      
report to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( 
! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,committee
 on ! ,judici>y ( ! ,s5ate on ! f9d+s & 
recomm5dations f ! /udy requir$ "u      
p>agraph 7#a74  #ab4 ,effective date    
,except z o!rwise provid$ 9 ?is ,act1 ! 
provisions ( ?is ,act %all take effect  
on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 &    
%all apply to any pat5t issu$1 or any   
action fil$1 on or aft] t date4