Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022
Summary
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.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2021
Committee Review
Dec 2022
Senate Passage
Dec 2022
House Passage
President
Introduced Sep 21, 2021
Last action Dec 7, 2022
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
10
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Dec 6, 2022
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7006-7007)
upper
Dec 6, 2022
Upper · Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
upper
Dec 1, 2022
Upper · Passed
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
upper
Dec 1, 2022
Upper · Passed
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
upper
Sep 21, 2021
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6589)
upper
Sep 21, 2021
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Patrick J. Leahy
DDemocratic
Co
Mazie K. Hirono
DDemocratic
Co
Thom Tillis
RRepublican
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