Barner Quoted on Patent Reform

Foley Partner Sharon Barner was quoted in an article that appeared in the Chicago Tribune on September 9, 2011 titled “Pending Patent Overhaul Divides Chicago Lawyers.” Barner discusses proposed changes to the patent process included in the America Invents Act, commenting that innovation should be helped by a law that helps provide more transparency and greater efficiency than the current patent system. She adds that the Act’s “first-to-file” rule has the potential to streamline the application process by eliminating expensive and time-consuming reviews to determine who was the first to invent something.