Practice Implications of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act

The patent world changed significantly Sept. 16, 2011, when President Obama signed into law the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, thereby implementing the most comprehensive reform to U.S. patent law since 1952.

Written with an interest in moving toward global harmony with other patent systems and based on a recognition of the economic importance of patents, the AIA introduces a variety of changes ranging from replacing the longstanding first-to-invent system in the United States to establishing additional post-grant procedures for challenging the validity of patents.

The above pdf article is a brief explanation of some of the changes instituted by the AIA and an overview of the practical implications of these changes.

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