BIO Reaffirms Support for H.R. 1249, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Tuesday, June 21, 2011) - Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood released the following statement on the Manager’s Amendment to The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, H.R. 1249:

“BIO reaffirms our support for H.R. 1249, The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, and urges its quick passage by the full House of Representatives this week.  We are pleased that Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) have reached agreement on U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) funding and that the appropriators are committed to ensuring that the PTO will retain the entirety of the fees it collects from inventors. 

“BIO will continue to work with House and Senate leaders to ensure that final patent reform legislation is perfected to address any remaining concerns and enacted into law this year.”