New Bill Would Limit Patent Board Access, Compel Disclosures (1)

A new bill proposes major changes to a tribunal with the power to uphold or wipe out challenged patents at the heart of costly infringement lawsuits, including limiting who can bring a challenge and clamping down on silent financial contributors.

The “PREVAIL Act” or “Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership Act” introduced on Thursday by Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), aims to bring significant changes to the US Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent and Trial Appeal Board. Coons and Tillis, the chair and ranking member of the ...