Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-2773
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2021-09-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Government studies and investigations
Intellectual property
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Small business
User charges and fees
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: 

Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies the responsibilities of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) satellite offices, increases the discount on patent-related fees for small and micro entities, and addresses related issues. 
 
Specifically, the bill modifies the statutory purpose of PTO satellite offices to include outreach and retention activities targeting underrepresented groups and individuals from economically, geographically, and demographically diverse backgrounds.
 
For each satellite office established after January 1, 2021, the PTO must consider the office's proximity to anchor institutions (e.g., hospitals primarily serving veterans and institutions of higher education) and populations that are underrepresented in patent filings, including rural populations. 
 
The PTO must establish (1) a satellite office in the southeastern United States within three years of this bill's enactment, (2) at least two community outreach offices in each region of the United States within five years of this bill's enactment, and (3) a pilot program to help prospective first-time patent applicants assess the viability of a potential patent application. 
 
The PTO must also (1) conduct and report to Congress a study on patent pro bono programs, including whether such programs are sufficiently serving underrepresented groups; and (2) use the study's findings to update such pro bono programs. 

action_date: 2022-12-01
text: 

Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022 

 
This bill modifies the responsibilities of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) satellite offices and addresses related issues. 
 
The bill increases the discount on patent-related fees for small and micro entities. An entity that falsely claims such a discount shall be subject to a fine, in addition to any other existing penalties.
 
The bill also modifies the statutory purpose of PTO satellite offices to include (1) outreach activities targeting certain groups, such as low-income populations, veterans, and geographic groups that are underrepresented in patent filings; and (2) targeting patent examiners and administrative patent judges from economically, geographically, and demographically diverse backgrounds in the PTO's retention activities.
 
For each satellite office established after January 1, 2023, the PTO must consider the office's proximity to anchor institutions (e.g., hospitals primarily serving veterans and institutions of higher education) and certain groups, such as low-income populations, veterans, and geographic groups that are underrepresented in patent filings. 
 
The PTO must establish (1) a satellite office in the southeastern United States within three years of this bill's enactment, (2) at least four community outreach offices throughout the United States within five years of this bill's enactment, and (3) a pilot program to help prospective first-time patent applicants assess the strengths and weaknesses of a potential patent application. 
 
The PTO must also (1) conduct and report to Congress a study on patent pro bono programs, including whether such programs are sufficiently serving prospective and existing participants; and (2) use the study's findings to update such pro bono programs. 

action_date: 2022-12-06
text: 

Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022 

 
This bill modifies the responsibilities of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) satellite offices and addresses related issues. 
 
The bill increases the discount on patent-related fees for small and micro entities. An entity that falsely claims such a discount shall be subject to a fine, in addition to any other existing penalties.
 
The bill also modifies the statutory purpose of PTO satellite offices to include (1) outreach activities targeting certain groups, such as low-income populations, veterans, and geographic groups that are underrepresented in patent filings; and (2) targeting patent examiners and administrative patent judges from economically, geographically, and demographically diverse backgrounds in the PTO's retention activities.
 
For each satellite office established after January 1, 2023, the PTO must consider the office's proximity to anchor institutions (e.g., hospitals primarily serving veterans and institutions of higher education) and certain groups, such as low-income populations, veterans, and geographic groups that are underrepresented in patent filings. 
 
The PTO must establish (1) a satellite office in the southeastern United States within three years of this bill's enactment, (2) at least four community outreach offices throughout the United States within five years of this bill's enactment, and (3) a pilot program to help prospective first-time patent applicants assess the strengths and weaknesses of a potential patent application. 
 
The PTO must also (1) conduct and report to Congress a study on patent pro bono programs, including whether such programs are sufficiently serving prospective and existing participants; and (2) use the study's findings to update such pro bono programs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-07
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-12-07
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-12-07
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-12-06
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7006-7007)
action_date: 2022-12-06
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 571.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6589)
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Introduced in Senate