Provides that, upon timely election by the applicant for patent to proceed, a "biotechnological process" using or resulting in a composition of matter that is novel and nonobvious shall be considered nonobvious if: (1) claims to the process and the composition of matter are contained in either the same application for patent or in separate applications having the same effective filing date; and (2) the composition of matter and the process at the time it was invented were owned by the same person or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person.
Specifies that a patent issued on such a process shall: (1) contain the claims to the composition of matter used in or made by that process; or (2) if such composition of matter is claimed in another patent, be set to expire on the same date as such other patent.
Provides that, if a claim to a composition of matter is held invalid and that claim was the basis of a determination of nonobviousness under this Act, the process shall no longer be considered nonobvious solely on the basis of provisions of this Act.
Laid on the table. See S. 1111 for further action.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch without amendment. Without written report.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch without amendment. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 191.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S14569-14570)
Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S14569-14570)
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Held at the desk.
Mr. Moorhead asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H10097-10098)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
On passage Passed without objection.
Enacted as Public Law 104-41
checking server…
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
A similar measure H.R. 587 was laid on the table without objection.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 104-41.
Became Public Law No: 104-41.