Brian Pomper, Executive Director of the Innovation Alliance, made the following statement following the House Judiciary Committee’s consideration of H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act.
 
“The Innovation Alliance appreciates the work of the Judiciary Committee in adopting several important amendments, including the Manager’s Amendment, that we believe improve the America Invents Act significantly while also defeating several very problematic amendments.  While the bill has certainly improved since its introduction, there are still important changes that should be made to ensure that it fosters economic growth and job creation without favoring any business model or industry over another.  In particular, we believe the provisions relating to business method patents, extended deadlines for inter partes reexam, joinder, and prior user rights are harmful and should be removed.
 
“We continue to believe the best course for policymakers is to focus on providing the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with the funding and resources it needs to reduce its backlog, but we are pleased with the progress the Judiciary Committee made on the America Invents Act today.
 
“The Innovation Alliance looks forward to continuing to work with the House Judiciary Committee and the Members of the House of Representatives to arrive at a version of the America Invents Act that can secure our support.”

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