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Head of BlackBerry Company Among Those Testifying at Patent Quality Enhancement Hearing Wednesday(Comtex Business Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Apr 04, 2006 (U.S. Newswire via COMTEX) --News Advisory What: Oversight Hearing entitled, "Patent Quality Enhancement in the Information-Based Economy" Who: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property - Rep. Lamar S. Smith (R-Tex.), Chairman When: 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 5, 2006 Where: 2141 Rayburn Building Many are concerned about patent quality and its effect on the economy. Patents of questionable scope or validity waste valuable resources by inviting third-party challenges and ultimately discourage private-sector investment. Issues to be Addressed... -- The extent to which the quality of U.S.-issued patents has deteriorated in recent years and the resulting effect on the American economy. -- Are most patents issued by PTO of poor quality? What needs to be done on the front-end of the system to improve patent quality? Do examiners have sufficient time to research applications? Does the PTO need more funding? -- Should Congress create or designate special "patent courts" to adjudicate disputes? -- How can Congress improve administrative proceedings at the back-end of the system - through reexamination and post-grant opposition - to improve patent quality? -- Are high-tech companies singled-out for unfair treatment in patent lawsuits? Witnesses: The Honorable Jon Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; Mr. Robert A. Stewart, Director and Chief Patent Counsel of the Americas, UBS AG; Mr. Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO, Research in Motion (RIM), manufacturers of the BlackBerry; Mr. Mark Lemley, William H. Neukom Professor of Law, Stanford Law School. http://www.usnewswire.com Jeff Lungren or Terry Shawn, 202-225-2492, both of the Committee on the Judiciary; Web: http://judiciary.house.gov |