Hatch to Chair New Senate I/P Subcommittee

Happy Birthday Senator Hatch!

According to a March 17, 2005 report in The Washington Post, Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) has been named to head a new U.S. Senate subcommittee on intellectual property. The corresponding press release issued by Hatch’s office announced that the new Intellectual Property Subcommittee will have jurisdiction over all intellectual property laws and oversight on patent, copyright, trademark, and international intellectual property policies. Hatch named Bruce Artim, former staff director and chief counsel for the Judiciary Committee, as the subcommittee’s staff director and chief counsel.

Over the next few weeks, Hatch and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the subcommittee’s ranking minority member, intend to initiate a series of hearings on patent reform with the objective of developing any necessary and appropriate legislation. The issues Hatch would like to address include increasing the quality of patent reviews, considering new post-grant opposition procedures, and shoring up the long-term resources of the Patent and Trademark Office.