Feb 10, 2004
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE RULES COMMITTEE ON H.R. 1561 --U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK FEE MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2003
Summary of Amendments Submitted to the Rules Committee on
H.R. 1561 --U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK FEE MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2003
Berman #2
Sunsets sections 1, 2, 3,5, 6, and 7 of H.R. 1561 to expire after five years. As a result of this sunset, the fee increases made by Section 1, 2, and 3 would expire after five years and the applicable fees would return to their current level. In addition, this amendment would ensure that fees collected by the PTO are again subject to congressional appropriations after five years.
Berman #3
Contains the text of H.R. 1561 as reported by the Committee on the Judiciary.
Berman #4
Contains the text of H.R. 1561 as reported by the Committee on the Judiciary and adds a sunset of Sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 after five years. As a result of this sunset, the fee increases made by Section 1, 2, and 3 would expire after five years and the applicable fees would return to their current level. In addition, this amendment would ensure that fees collected by the PTO are again subject to congressional appropriations after five years.
Conyers/Kaptur #7
Ensures that the PTO does not split its various functions into three separate ones. In doing so it prevents the PTO from hiring private contractors to the perform core government function of searching old patents and journal articles. It also ensures that small business applicants are entitled to a small business discount.
Jackson-Lee #8
Requires that a substantial number of the outsource contracts be awarded to: (1) American businesses, and (2) small, minority-owned businesses, or are businesses owned by women.
Manzullo #1
Keeps the fees and surcharges paid by small entities at present levels. Fees and surcharges could be increased in accordance with the consumer price index at five-year intervals. No new fees and surcharges could be created with respect to small entities.
Sensenbrenner #5
Strikes the off-budget language in the reported bill. It would instead require that any fees collected beyond the amount appropriated to PTO be placed in a reserve fund and rebated annually to users who have paid fees.
Sensenbrenner #6
Makes various technical corrections to the bill.
* Summaries derived from information submitted by the amendment sponsors.
