Patent Issues in the Appellate Pipeline* - Part 1

Article by Pavan K. Agarwal and Harold C. Wegner**

Recently, attention has been focused upon the introduction of comprehensive substantive and procedural patent reform proposals; they have already been the subject of hearings in the relevant subcommittees in both the House and the Senate. From a standpoint of consideration of any practical implications from this `legislation, there is little to be learned at the moment: Serious revisions will be required to the current proposals for there to be any significant chance of enactment; even if such revisions are made, it may be difficult for a comprehensive patent reform proposal to be enacted before the end of the 109th Congress that will take place just before the next general election in November 2006.