Patent Reform Legislation Slowed by Labor's Concerns

"At a time when the Chinese government is constantly being challenged to live up to its intellectual-property obligations, we do not want to take actions that may weaken ours," the AFL-CIO's legislative director, William Samuel, reportedly said in a letter to U.S. lawmakers that ultimately postponed lawmaker's plans to bring patent reform legislation to tthe floor before the August Congressional break.

According to Greg Hitt writing for the Wall Street Journal on August 27, 2007:

Eventually, more than 60 House members joined in an appeal to House leaders in both parties not to rush action. The request echoed of the same language used by the AFL-CIO: "It is especially important that these proposals not undermine
our efforts to achieve better intellectual property protection for U.S. companies overseas, particularly in China and India."

Amid the concerns, House leaders backed off of tentative plans to run the measure through the floor before lawmakers left town for the summer.