Bill Boosting Patent Owner Rights Clears Senate Committee (1)

A bill limiting the ability to administratively challenge issued patents advanced through a US Senate committee by a one-vote margin.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership Act (S. 2220), or PREVAIL Act by an 11-10 vote Thursday morning. The measure would restrict who is allowed to challenge a previously issued patent and bar certain types of duplicative challenges at a special administrative court at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The vote moves the bill, sponsored by Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), the chair and ranking member ...