The Patent Reform Act of 2007 is stirring debate, not only in both houses of Congress, but also within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, software, and electronics industries. Nanotechnology companies too must be aware of what is at stake. In this article, Washington, DC patent attorney Stephen Maebius discusses the potential impact of the pending legislation on nanotechnology. The proposed changes would affect everything from who is entitled to receive a patent (first-to-invent or first-to-file) all the way to how infringement damages are calculated. Because they rely so heavily on the value of their patent portfolio, nanotech companies should form a collective voice to communicate a position in this important debate.
