The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing a companion bill to the Senate's Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA), according to J. John Lee, Chief Counsel for Intellectual Property on the House Judiciary Committee. Lee made the announcement on day two of IPWatchdog LIVE, directly addressing those who have doubted the legislation's momentum.
PERA, introduced by Senators Thom Tillis and Chris Coons, aims to overhaul the current patent eligibility framework. Lee's statement signals that House leadership is actively engaging on the issue, though he did not provide a specific timeline or details about the companion bill's provisions.
The news gives patent reform advocates a reason to watch for near-term legislative activity, as a House counterpart would increase the chances of moving patent eligibility reform through Congress. No further specifics were disclosed at the event.