Legis Daily

Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022

USA117th CongressS-2773| Senate 
| Updated: 12/7/2022
Patrick J. Leahy

Patrick J. Leahy

Democratic Senator

Vermont

Cosponsors (2)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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 Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

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Timeline
Sep 21, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Sep 21, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6589)
Nov 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-8697
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.
Dec 1, 2022
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Dec 1, 2022
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Dec 1, 2022
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 571.
Dec 6, 2022
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7006-7007)
Dec 6, 2022
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 7, 2022
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 7, 2022
Received in the House.
Dec 7, 2022
Held at the desk.
  • September 21, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 21, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6589)


  • November 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-8697
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.


  • December 1, 2022
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • December 1, 2022
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • December 1, 2022
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 571.


  • December 6, 2022
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7006-7007)


  • December 6, 2022
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 7, 2022
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 7, 2022
    Received in the House.


  • December 7, 2022
    Held at the desk.

Commerce

Related Bills

  • HR 117-8697: Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022
Community life and organizationCongressional oversightEconomic developmentGovernment studies and investigationsIntellectual propertyMinority and disadvantaged businessesSmall businessUser charges and feesVeterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022

USA117th CongressS-2773| Senate 
| Updated: 12/7/2022
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 Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Sep 21, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Sep 21, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6589)
Nov 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-8697
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.
Dec 1, 2022
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Dec 1, 2022
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Dec 1, 2022
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 571.
Dec 6, 2022
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7006-7007)
Dec 6, 2022
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 7, 2022
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 7, 2022
Received in the House.
Dec 7, 2022
Held at the desk.
  • September 21, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 21, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6589)


  • November 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-8697
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.


  • December 1, 2022
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • December 1, 2022
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • December 1, 2022
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 571.


  • December 6, 2022
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7006-7007)


  • December 6, 2022
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 7, 2022
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 7, 2022
    Received in the House.


  • December 7, 2022
    Held at the desk.
Patrick J. Leahy

Patrick J. Leahy

Democratic Senator

Vermont

Cosponsors (2)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Commerce

Related Bills

  • HR 117-8697: Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Community life and organizationCongressional oversightEconomic developmentGovernment studies and investigationsIntellectual propertyMinority and disadvantaged businessesSmall businessUser charges and feesVeterans' education, employment, rehabilitation