The covered business method review remained the most criticized component of the InnovationnAct (HR-3309) at a House Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, and witnesses pushed for some languagenclarifications. Lawmakers noted many of the patent litigation reform bill’s main features — enhancednpleading standards, fee shifting to the nonprevailing party, limiting discovery until claim constructionnand increased transparency throughout litigation (CD Oct 24 p12) — were “noncontroversial,” andn“pretty supported” among the witnesses, which included representatives from the technology sector, pharmaceuticalnindustry and a former U.S. Patent and Trademark Office director. But several witnesses includingnDavid Kappos, the former USPTO director, urged that the office receive “full fee access” and cautionednthat the bill’s language on stays for end-user patent infringement lawsuits might be “overbroad.”
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