PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 26, 1996
Full Patent Term Preservation Act of 1996 - Revises patent law to direct that the term of a patent be adjusted to include the period of time for which the issue of the original patent was delayed due to: (1) a proceeding designed to determine the priority of invention ("interference"); (2) the imposition of an order pertaining to a determination that the patent would be detrimental to the national security; (3) appellate review by the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences or by a Federal court where the patent was issued pursuant to a decision in the review reversing an adverse determination of patentability; or (4) an unusual administrative delay by the Patent and Trademark Office in issuing the patent. Directs the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to prescribe regulations to govern the determination of the period of delay, including the circumstances determined to constitute an unusual administrative delay. Establishes a ten-year limit for adjustments in patent terms under this Act. Precludes adjustments in patent term beyond the actual number of days that a patent was delayed. Specifies that no adjustment in patent term may be granted for periods when the applicant did not act with due diligence. Directs the Commissioner to prescribe regulations establishing the circumstances that constitute a failure to act with due diligence. Specifies that no patent, the term of which has been disclaimed beyond a specified date, may be adjusted pursuant to this Act beyond the expiration date specified in the disclaimer. Directs the Commissioner: (1) in a case in which a patent term is so adjusted, to determine the period of any patent term adjustment and include a copy of that determination with the final notice; and (2) to prescribe regulations establishing procedures for the application for, and notification of, patent term adjustments granted by the Commissioner. Authorizes any applicant dissatisfied with such determination to bring a civil action in the United States Court of Federal Claims if commenced within 60 days after the mailing of the notice of allowance as the Commissioner appoints. Specifies that the initiation of such action shall not delay the issuance of a patent.
People & committees
Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R–UT
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S510-511)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.1540 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.1540 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.1540 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.1540 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.