Thank you to Mr. James Lake for presenting "Patent Reform, A First Step - The America Invents Act".
Mr. Lake is a member of our section and is a registered patent attorney specializing in client counseling and procurement of intellectual property rights in the U.S. and abroad. The America Invents Act (AIA) was signed into law on September 16, 2011. It is beginning to take effect and implementing regulations are proposed. The law represents the most significant change to the U.S. patent system since 1952. Among other things, the Act switches the U.S. from a "first to invent" to a "first inventor to file" system, eliminates interference proceedings, and develops post-grant opposition. Topics to be addressed include: What practical effect does this have on inventors? What needed areas of patent reform were left out?
