Patent Reform: Senate Debate to Begin February 28, New Sponsors, For and Against
Senate Calendars Patent Reform Debate for February 28, 2011
Today the U.S. Senate indicated that upon the conclusion of Morning Business on Monday, February 28, 2011, it will proceed to consider S. 23, the Patent Reform Act of 2011. S.23 was reported out of the Judiciary Committee on February 3, 2011, with few changes from the version introduced on the Senate floor by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
New Bill Sponsors Come Forward
GovTracks is reporting additional sponsors of S.23: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), bringing the total number of Senators co-sponsoring S.23 to 11 (six Democrats, four Republicans, one Independent). No Maryland Senator is a co-sponsor.
For and Against Patent Reform
MapLight is reporting the following organizations and interest groups as publicly supporting or opposing S.23:
Support:
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM)
- Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
- Consumer Action
- Innovation Alliance
- International Association for Registered Financial Consultants
- Microsoft
- Partnership for Philanthropic Planning
- Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
- Public Interest Research Group
- Tax Justice Network USA
- The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
Oppose:
- Cisco
- Dell
- Financial Services Roundtable
- Generic Pharmaceutical Association
- Independent Community Bankers of America
- Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
- The Clearing House Association
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), indicated as in favor of patent reform, is comprised of hundreds of bio and pharma companies, organizations, universities, and governmental agencies, including over 60 based in or operating in Maryland.
