Senate Judiciary to Hold Pro-IP Hearing Tuesday

The Senate Judiciary Committee set a Tuesday hearing on how intellectual property acts as a “driver of innovation” that makes “our lives healthier, safer, and more productive,” the committee said Wednesday in a brief notice. It didn’t disclose further details about the hearing’s focus but it appears aimed at coinciding with the annual April 26 celebration of World IP Day, an industry lobbyist told us. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R--Iowa, has taken an interest in IP issues as Senate Judiciary chairman, including likely leadership in shepherding the anticipated Senate companion to the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act (HR-1695). Grassley is also expected to speak Tuesday at the Institute for Policy Innovation’s World IP Day event. The hearing is to begin at 10 a.m. in 226 Dirksen.