House Judiciary Committee Announces Patent Reform Hearing for Tuesday

The House Judiciary Committee plans a hearing for 2 p.m. Tuesday on the Innovation Act (HR-9), the patent reform bill by House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. “This legislation, which passed the House last year by a wide margin, is designed to eliminate the abuses of our patent system, discourage frivolous patent litigation and keep U.S. patent laws up to date,” Goodlatte said. “I am hopeful we can move quickly here in the House and get this important legislation through the Senate and to the President’s desk.” Witnesses include Patent and Trademark Office Director Michelle Lee on the first panel. Witnesses on the second panel include Yahoo Deputy General Counsel-Intellectual Property Kevin Kramer, former Eli Lilly General Counsel Robert Armitage, Salesforce.com Senior Vice President-Intellectual Property David Simon and Biotechnology Industry Organization Deputy General Counsel-Intellectual Property Hans Sauer.