Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet

Chairman Goodlatte: Today’s hearing will look at design protection to determine whether amendments should be made to the law to limit protection for component parts of automobiles. Chapter 16 of the Patent Act allows an inventor a design patent for any new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture. However, the chief limitation on the patentability of designs is that they must be primarily ornamental in character. If the design is dictated by the performance of the article, then it is judged primarily functional and ineligible for design patent protection. Combined with the cost of patenting, this explains why some inventors, including car companies, have tr

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee has announced its schedule for the week of February 1-5, 2016. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 210:00 a.m. | Full CommitteeClassified Hearing on: FISA Amendments Act *This hearing is for Members only. Witnesses:

• Mr. Robert S. Litt, General Counsel, Office of the Director of National Intelligence
• Mr. Jon Darby, Deputy Director for Analysis and Production, Signals Intelligence Directorate, National Security Agency
• Mr. Stuart J.

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., the Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing to examine H.R. 1057, the Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales (PARTS) Act.  The PARTS Act limits the term of protection for patented designs of automotive repair parts used to restore automobiles. Witnesses for Tuesday’s hearing are:

• Mr.

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed a provision within the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (H.R. 644) permanently banning state taxation of Internet access. A temporary ban was first put in place in 1998.

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today approved by voice vote the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act (H.R. 3490).

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), along with other Members of the Judiciary Committee, will hold a roundtable discussion on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2015 at 2:00 PM PST at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California, and on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2015 at 3:00 P.M.

Chairman Goodlatte: Today’s hearing reflects a new twist on the same old song. U.S. companies are at the forefront of the digital economy and as our companies look to operate globally, they face new and novel non-tariff trade barriers that could make it costly or near-impossible to operate overseas. As we work to promote digital trade we must work to make sure that the international playing field is fair.