# Public Law 106-113/Division B/Appendix I/Title IV
## TITLE IV — INVENTOR PROTECTION
#### Sec. 4001. Short Title.

    This title may be cited as the ``American Inventors Protection Act of 1999´´.

### Subtitle A — Inventors' Rights

       Sec. 4101. Short Title.
       Sec. 4102. Integrity in invention promotion services.
       Sec. 4103. Effective date.

### Subtitle B — Patent and Trademark Fee Fairness

       Sec. 4201. Short Title.
       Sec. 4202. Adjustment of patent fees.
       Sec. 4203. Adjustment of trademark fees.
       Sec. 4204. Study on alternative fee structures.
       Sec. 4205. Patent and Trademark Office Funding.
       Sec. 4206. Effective date.

### Subtitle C — First Inventor Defense

       Sec. 4301. Short Title.
       Sec. 4302. Defense to patent infringement based on earlier inventor.
       Sec. 4303. Effective date and applicability.

### Subtitle D — Patent Term Guarantee

       Sec. 4401. Short Title.
       Sec. 4402. Patent term guarantee authority.
       Sec. 4403. Continued examination of patent applications.
       Sec. 4404. Technical clarification.
       Sec. 4405. Effective date.

### Subtitle E — Domestic Publication of Patent Applications Published Abroad

       Sec. 4501. Short Title.
       Sec. 4502. Publication.
       Sec. 4503. Time for claiming benefit of earlier filing date.
       Sec. 4504. Provisional rights.
       Sec. 4505. Prior art effect of published applications.
       Sec. 4506. Cost recovery for publication.
       Sec. 4507. Conforming amendments.
       Sec. 4508. Effective date.

### Subtitle F — Optional Inter Partes Reexamination Procedure

       Sec. 4601. Short Title.
       Sec. 4602. Ex parte reexamination of patents.
       Sec. 4603. Definitions.
       Sec. 4604. Optional inter partes reexamination procedures.
       Sec. 4605. Conforming amendments.
       Sec. 4606. Report to Congress.
       Sec. 4607. Estoppel effect of reexamination.
       Sec. 4608. Effective date.

### Subtitle G — Patent and Trademark Office

       Sec. 4701. Short Title.

#### Chapter 1 — United States Patent and Trademark Office

       Sec. 4711. Establishment of Patent and Trademark Office.
       Sec. 4712. Powers and Duties.
       Sec. 4713. Organization and Management.
       Sec. 4714. Public Advisory Committees.
       Sec. 4715. Conforming Amendments.
       Sec. 4716. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
       Sec. 4717. Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.
       Sec. 4718. Annual Report of Director.
       Sec. 4719. Suspension or Exclusion from Practice.
       Sec. 4720. Pay of Director and Deputy Director.

#### Chapter 2 — Effective Date; Technical Amendments

       Sec. 4731. Effective Date.
       Sec. 4732. Technical and Conforming Amendments.

#### Chapter 3 — Miscellaneous Provisions

       Sec. 4741. References.
       Sec. 4742. Exercise of Authorities.
       Sec. 4743. Savings Provisions.
       Sec. 4744. Transfer of Assets.
       Sec. 4745. Delegation and Aassignment.
       Sec. 4746. Authority of Director of the Office of Management and Budget with Respect to Functions Transferred.
       Sec. 4747. Certain Vesting of Functions Considered Transfers.
       Sec. 4748. Availability of Existing Funds.
       Sec. 4749. Definitions.

### Subtitle H — Miscellaneous Patent Provisions

       Sec. 4801. Provisional Applications.
       Sec. 4802. International Applications.
       Sec. 4803. Certain limitations on Damages for Patent Infringement not Applicable.
       Sec. 4804. Electronic Filing and Publications.
       Sec. 4805. Study and Report on Biological Deposits in Support of Biotechnology Patents.
       Sec. 4806. Prior Invention.
       Sec. 4807. Prior Art Exclusion for Certain Commonly Assigned Patents.
       Sec. 4808. Exchange of Copies of Patents with Foreign Countries.