Official Bill Info

• Latest Action: Sep 16, 2011 Signed by President.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know the most recent action for this bill is as follows: "Signed by President." on Sep 16, 2011
• Committee Assignment: House Judiciary

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  This bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary committee.
• Committee Assignment: House Budget

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  This bill has been assigned to the House Budget committee.
• Committee Assignment: House Judiciary - Immigration Policy and Enforcement

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  This bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary - Immigration Policy and Enforcement committee.
• Committee Assignment: House Judiciary - Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  This bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary - Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet committee.
This bill's most-recent vote occurred on September 08, 2011, with a roll call of 89 ayes, 9 nays, and 2 not voting.
Clicking this will add the following text:
This bill's most-recent vote occurred on September 08, 2011, with a roll call of 89 ayes, 9 nays, and 2 not voting.

Bill Statistics on OpenCongress

Contribution Data

OpenCongress Bill Summary

• Changes the patent application system from one that awards patents to the first person to invent something to a system that awards the first person to file a patent application on an invention. It would also allow for more public feedback on applications in order to prevent bad patents, establish new rules for challenging patents, guarantee that fees from patent applications can be retained by the patent office, and more.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  Here's a summary from OpenCongress.org: Changes the patent application system from one that awards patents to the first person to invent something to a system that awards the first person to file a patent application on an invention. It would also allow for more public feedback on applications in order to prevent bad patents, establish new rules for challenging patents, guarantee that fees from patent applications can be retained by the patent office, and more.

Supporting Organizations

• American Council on Education

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization American Council on Education supports H.R.1249
• Biotechnology Industry Organization

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Biotechnology Industry Organization supports H.R.1249
• American Bankers Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization American Bankers Association supports H.R.1249
• National Treasury Employees Union

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization National Treasury Employees Union supports H.R.1249
• Pfizer

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Pfizer supports H.R.1249
• Air Products

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Air Products supports H.R.1249
• Procter & Gamble Company

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Procter & Gamble Company supports H.R.1249
• National Association of Manufacturers

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization National Association of Manufacturers supports H.R.1249
• Air Liquide

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Air Liquide supports H.R.1249
• American Intellectual Property Law Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization American Intellectual Property Law Association supports H.R.1249
• Baxter Healthcare Corporation

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Baxter Healthcare Corporation supports H.R.1249
• Novartis

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Novartis supports H.R.1249
• PatentCafe.com, Inc.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization PatentCafe.com, Inc. supports H.R.1249
• PepsiCo, Inc.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization PepsiCo, Inc. supports H.R.1249
• SanDisk Corporation

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization SanDisk Corporation supports H.R.1249
• Texas Instruments

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Texas Instruments supports H.R.1249
• USG Corporation

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization USG Corporation supports H.R.1249
• United Technologies

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization United Technologies supports H.R.1249
• Weyerhaeuser

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Weyerhaeuser supports H.R.1249
• Consumer Bankers Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Consumer Bankers Association supports H.R.1249
• Credit Union National Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Credit Union National Association supports H.R.1249
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization American Institute of Certified Public Accountants supports H.R.1249
• Microsoft

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Microsoft supports H.R.1249
• Johnson & Johnson

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Johnson & Johnson supports H.R.1249
• Eli Lilly and Company

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Eli Lilly and Company supports H.R.1249
• ExxonMobil

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization ExxonMobil supports H.R.1249
• United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union supports H.R.1249
• Electronics for Imaging

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Electronics for Imaging supports H.R.1249
• Financial Services Rountable

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Financial Services Rountable supports H.R.1249
• General Mills

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization General Mills supports H.R.1249
• 3M

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization 3M supports H.R.1249
• Hoffman - LaRoche

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Hoffman - LaRoche supports H.R.1249
• Zimmer

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Zimmer supports H.R.1249
• The Clearing House Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization The Clearing House Association supports H.R.1249
• National Retail Federation

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization National Retail Federation supports H.R.1249
• Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers supports H.R.1249
• AstraZeneca

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization AstraZeneca supports H.R.1249
• Caterpillar

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Caterpillar supports H.R.1249
• Independent Community Bankers of America

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Independent Community Bankers of America supports H.R.1249
• Intel

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Intel supports H.R.1249
• Motorola

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Motorola supports H.R.1249
• Applied Materials

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Applied Materials supports H.R.1249
• U. S. Chamber of Commerce

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization U. S. Chamber of Commerce supports H.R.1249
• Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association supports H.R.1249
• American Financial Services Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization American Financial Services Association supports H.R.1249
• American Insurance Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization American Insurance Association supports H.R.1249
• National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies supports H.R.1249
• General Electric

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization General Electric supports H.R.1249
• Association of American Medical Colleges

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Association of American Medical Colleges supports H.R.1249
• Mortgage Bankers Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Mortgage Bankers Association supports H.R.1249
• Association of American Universities

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Association of American Universities supports H.R.1249
• American Council of Life Insurers

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization American Council of Life Insurers supports H.R.1249
• Merck

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Merck supports H.R.1249
• Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. supports H.R.1249
• Milliken & Company

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Milliken & Company supports H.R.1249
• Adobe Systems Incorporated

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Adobe Systems Incorporated supports H.R.1249
• Apple, Inc.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Apple, Inc. supports H.R.1249
• Bank of America

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Bank of America supports H.R.1249
• Citigroup

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Citigroup supports H.R.1249
• Google Inc.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Google Inc. supports H.R.1249
• MasterCard Worldwide

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization MasterCard Worldwide supports H.R.1249
• The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. supports H.R.1249
• Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council supports H.R.1249
• U.S. Bancorp

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization U.S. Bancorp supports H.R.1249
• Verizon

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Verizon supports H.R.1249
• Yahoo! Inc.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Yahoo! Inc. supports H.R.1249
• News Corporation

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization News Corporation supports H.R.1249
• Oracle

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Oracle supports H.R.1249
• State Farm Insurance Companies

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization State Farm Insurance Companies supports H.R.1249
• The Charles Schwab Corporation

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization The Charles Schwab Corporation supports H.R.1249
• Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Association of Public and Land-grant Universities supports H.R.1249
• Beckman Coulter

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Beckman Coulter supports H.R.1249
• Boston Scientific

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Boston Scientific supports H.R.1249
• BP

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization BP supports H.R.1249
• Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. supports H.R.1249
• Bristol-Myers Squibb

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Bristol-Myers Squibb supports H.R.1249
• Cargill, Inc.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Cargill, Inc. supports H.R.1249
• CheckFree

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization CheckFree supports H.R.1249
• Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform supports H.R.1249
• Coalition for Patent Fairness

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Coalition for Patent Fairness supports H.R.1249
• Cummins Inc.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Cummins Inc. supports H.R.1249
• Dow Chemical Company

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Dow Chemical Company supports H.R.1249
• DuPont

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization DuPont supports H.R.1249
• Eastman Chemical Company

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Eastman Chemical Company supports H.R.1249
• Genzyme

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Genzyme supports H.R.1249
• GlaxoSmithKline

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization GlaxoSmithKline supports H.R.1249
• Henkel Corporation

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Henkel Corporation supports H.R.1249
• IBM

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization IBM supports H.R.1249
• Illinois Tool Works

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Illinois Tool Works supports H.R.1249
• Medtronic

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Medtronic supports H.R.1249
• Northrop Grumman

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Northrop Grumman supports H.R.1249
• Property Casualty Insurers Association of America

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Property Casualty Insurers Association of America supports H.R.1249
• National Congress of Inventor Organizations

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization National Congress of Inventor Organizations supports H.R.1249

Opposing Organizations

• American Innovators for Patent Reform

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization American Innovators for Patent Reform opposes H.R.1249
• National Venture Capital Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization National Venture Capital Association opposes H.R.1249
• Advanced Micro Devices

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Advanced Micro Devices opposes H.R.1249
• Trading Technologies International

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Trading Technologies International opposes H.R.1249
• Eagle Forum

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Eagle Forum opposes H.R.1249
• Heritage Action

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Heritage Action opposes H.R.1249
• Generic Pharmacutical Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Generic Pharmacutical Association opposes H.R.1249
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers opposes H.R.1249
• IP Advocate

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization IP Advocate opposes H.R.1249
• National Association of Patent Practitioners

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization National Association of Patent Practitioners opposes H.R.1249
• National Small Business Association

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization National Small Business Association opposes H.R.1249
• Professional Inventors Alliance USA

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  I know that the organization Professional Inventors Alliance USA opposes H.R.1249

Most-commented sections of the bill text

• An Act (3 comments, Link )

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  specifically, this section of the legislation: "An Act",

Highest Rated User Comments

• On June 30, 2011, by airandfingers - Is it true that this bill was passed by the House without a single individual inventor testifying before the House? It seems like actual people who invent things would be a pretty important population to hear from when debating a bill about patents.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  As noted by airandfingers, a user on OpenCongress.org, on June 30, 2011, "Is it true that this bill was passed by the House without a single individual inventor testifying before the House? It seems like actual people who invent things would be a pretty important population to hear from when debating a bill about patents."
• On July 01, 2011, by Bi6Gimp - It seems to me that this bill will favor corporations over the small guy as he who wins the race to patent office wins? The purpose of patent law is to encourage innovation for its own sake, not to reward only the winner of the race, or the corporation with the most efficient legal staff. And the house passed this turkey?

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  As noted by Bi6Gimp, a user on OpenCongress.org, on July 01, 2011, "It seems to me that this bill will favor corporations over the small guy as he who wins the race to patent office wins? The purpose of patent law is to encourage innovation for its own sake, not to reward only the winner of the race, or the corporation with the most efficient legal staff. And the house passed this turkey? "
• On September 17, 2011, by RexD - I completely agree. Software patents are killing innovation, especially in the free software/open source communities.

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  As noted by RexD, a user on OpenCongress.org, on September 17, 2011, "I completely agree. Software patents are killing innovation, especially in the free software/open source communities."

Highly Rated Blog Articles

• Greece starts crucial talks with debt inspectors - Worldnews.com - July 27, 2012 by http://wn.com/ - After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond one hour), Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of HR 1249, Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. At 2:30 pm, there will ...

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  As noted by http://wn.com/ on July 27, 2012, "After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond one hour), Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of HR 1249, Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. At 2:30 pm, there will ..." (/url?q=http://article.wn.com/view/2012/07/26/Greece_starts_crucial_talks_with_debt_inspectors/&sa=U&ei=JMwUUP7_N6eC0QGW2ICACw&ved=0CDYQmAEwBQ&usg=AFQjCNHqG3mfZJv6DLtMFihlUzHlQlSHAw)
• Greece starts crucial talks with debt inspectors - Worldnews.com - July 27, 2012 by http://wn.com/ - After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond one hour), Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of HR 1249, Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. At 2:30 pm, there will ...

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  As noted by http://wn.com/ on July 27, 2012, "After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond one hour), Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of HR 1249, Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. At 2:30 pm, there will ..." (/url?q=http://article.wn.com/view/2012/07/26/Greece_starts_crucial_talks_with_debt_inspectors/&sa=U&ei=csgTULmlH8afrAHix4C4BA&ved=0CDYQmAEwBQ&usg=AFQjCNHT1Ls7dGwD3jqD1w5nI56gM7WVOw)
• Greece starts crucial talks with debt inspectors - Worldnews.com - July 27, 2012 by http://wn.com/ - After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond one hour), Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of HR 1249, Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. At 2:30 pm, there will ...

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  As noted by http://wn.com/ on July 27, 2012, "After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond one hour), Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of HR 1249, Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. At 2:30 pm, there will ..." (/url?q=http://article.wn.com/view/2012/07/26/Greece_starts_crucial_talks_with_debt_inspectors/&sa=U&ei=b3cTUOXsFpCC8ASE6YHQCw&ved=0CDYQmAEwBQ&usg=AFQjCNGTa3Wg_sYNLWqat7VE0tZWmh4A6Q)

Highly Rated News Articles

• PolitiFactNH: Frank Guinta’s claim about bipartisan bills comes up a few votes short - June 24, 2012 by New Hampshire Magazine - H.R. 674, 3% Withholding Rule Repeal: 295 Republicans, 170 Democrats; passed the Senate, signed into law. H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act: 168 Republicans, 136 Democrats; passed the Senate, signed into law. H.R. 4105, Applying Countervailing Duty to ...

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  As noted by New Hampshire Magazine on June 24, 2012, "H.R. 674, 3% Withholding Rule Repeal: 295 Republicans, 170 Democrats; passed the Senate, signed into law. H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act: 168 Republicans, 136 Democrats; passed the Senate, signed into law. H.R. 4105, Applying Countervailing Duty to ..." (http://www.nh.com/news/965472-196/politifactnh-frank-guintas-claim-about-bipartisan-bills.html)
• PolitiFactNH: Frank Guinta’s claim about bipartisan bills comes up a few votes short - June 24, 2012 by New Hampshire Magazine - H.R. 674, 3% Withholding Rule Repeal: 295 Republicans, 170 Democrats; passed the Senate, signed into law. H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act: 168 Republicans, 136 Democrats; passed the Senate, signed into law. H.R. 4105, Applying Countervailing Duty to ...

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  As noted by New Hampshire Magazine on June 24, 2012, "H.R. 674, 3% Withholding Rule Repeal: 295 Republicans, 170 Democrats; passed the Senate, signed into law. H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act: 168 Republicans, 136 Democrats; passed the Senate, signed into law. H.R. 4105, Applying Countervailing Duty to ..." (http://nh.com/news/965472-196/politifactnh-frank-guintas-claim-about-bipartisan-bills.html)
• Is Patent Reform the Death Knell for Litigation? - June 12, 2012 by Law.com - After numerous attempts to overhaul U.S. patent reform, the America Invents Act (H.R. 1249) is U.S. federal legislation that was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama on Sept. 16, 2011. For patent attorneys, the switch from the present "first-to

  Clicking this will add the following text:

  As noted by Law.com on June 12, 2012, "After numerous attempts to overhaul U.S. patent reform, the America Invents Act (H.R. 1249) is U.S. federal legislation that was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama on Sept. 16, 2011. For patent attorneys, the switch from the present "first-to" (http://www.law.com/jsp/cc/PubArticleCC.jsp?id=1339354158103&Is_Patent_Reform_the_Death_Knell_for_Litigation)