Bill > HR3160

This bill, called the PREVAIL (Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership) Act, aims to reform and strengthen the United States patent system by making several key changes. The bill seeks to address perceived weaknesses in patent review processes, particularly in inter partes reviews and post-grant reviews, by introducing new procedures and safeguards. Specifically, it establishes a new code of conduct for the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, limits repetitive patent challenges, clarifies real party in interest requirements, and provides more structured guidelines for patent review proceedings. The bill also introduces provisions to protect inventors, particularly small businesses and institutions of higher education, by ensuring more rigorous standards for challenging patent validity and preventing strategic harassment through repeated review requests. Additionally, the legislation addresses fee diversion by creating a new United States Patent and Trademark Office Innovation Promotion Fund, which ensures that patent and trademark fees are used exclusively for the USPTO's operations. The bill further requires the Small Business Administration to study patent ownership and infringement actions affecting small businesses and mandates free online access to patent search and informational materials. Overall, the PREVAIL Act aims to maintain the United States' leadership in innovation by providing a more robust and fair patent system that supports inventors and technological advancement.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3160/all-info