Understanding the America Invents Act

When President Obama signed the America Invents Act (“AIA”) on September 16, 2011, it marked the first fundamental patent reform in the U.S. since the 1952 Patent Act. This article aims to contribute to understanding the provisions of the AIA and their impact on U.S. patent law. The authors conclude for patent practitioners, it is key to remember that patent practice will involve both the old and new laws until at least March 15, 2034. In addition, practitioners will have to keep track of all the various effective dates so as to offer the best counsel possible to clients as they manage their U.S. patent portfolios. To read the full article by Finnegan partner Thomas L. Irving, law clerk Stacy D. Lewis, Donna M. Meuth from Eisai, Inc., and Macharri Vorndran-Jones from Eli Lilly and Company, please click here. *Stacy Lewis is a law clerk at Finnegan.