Proposed legislation and IP social justice

Device Access for Every American Act
The Device Access for Every American Act was introduced to both houses of Congress on September 14, 2021. The bill, which was introduced by Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Congressman Donald McEachin of Virginia, claims to authorize the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) to create programming that allows Americans in need to redeem $400 vouchers so that they may buy laptops, tablets, computers or other devices. This legislation includes a proposal for $5 billion in federal funding for the establishment and implementation of the program. It would permit two low-income individuals per household to receive the vouchers so that families are able to have multiple devices. This effort, the Act additionally claims, would direct the FCC to integrate with device retailers as program participants, promote the program, and assist eligible Americans with enrolling in the program. Read the full text of the bill here.

Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2021
On September 21, 2021, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis and Patrick Leahy introduced The Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2021 as part of a bipartisan effort to amend the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act by addressing satellite offices of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). The bill aims to expand access to the patent system for those who wish to participate in it by proposing the establishment of a sixth regional office in the Southeastern U.S. and creating “community outreach” offices around the country to provide support to potential patent seekers. If passed, the Act would create a program for first-time patent applicants which would create additional resources for assisting applicants with an application following a denial. The bill also seeks to reduce statutorily required fees for “small and micro entities” through amendments to the language of 35 U.S.C. 41(h) and the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Read the full text of the bill here.

Pride in Patent Ownership Act
Accompanying their introduction of the Unleashing American Inventors Act of 2021, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis and Patrick Leahy introduced the Pride in Patent Ownership Act to “ensure that the public has access to the true owner of a patent.” The bill aims to resolve the issue of costly litigation that parties undergo in identifying the beneficial owner of a patent by promoting transparency and creating a mandatory reporting requirement for patent owners. The reporting requirement would apply to the initial issuance of a patent and any subsequent transactions which results in a change in the “true ownership” of the patent. The mandatory reporting requirement, according to the bill’s official press release, would prove beneficial in instances where small businesses hope to identify the true patent owner for purposes of obtaining a license. Read the full text of the bill here.