Congress Discusses Which Court Should Hear Patent Cases

The AIPLA is supporting a measure to legislatively overrule the 2002 Supreme Court case of Holmes Group v. Vornado.  The House Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property is holding a hearing today to discuss the matter. 

Specifically, the AIPLA argues that the holding will allow regional circuits and even state courts to begin to hear patent counterclaims.  This scenario was suggested by the Indiana Supreme Court ruling in Green v. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 770 NE2d 784, 63 USPQ2d 1852 (Ind. 2002).  In moderation, the AIPLA believes that if patent claims are raised in a compulsory counterclaim then the Federal Circuit should have jurisdiction.  On the other hand, if the patent claims are raised in a permissive counterclaim then the regional circuit or state court should have jurisdiction. 

The Subcommittee hearing is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern and will be broadcast over the Internet here.  Those testifying include Edward Reines on behalf of the Federal Circuit Bar Association; Professor Arthur Hellman from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and expert on the structure of the Courts; Sanjay Prasad, Chief Patent Counsel for Oracle Corporation, and Meredith Martin Addy from Brinks Hofer.

Although the cameras would normally be focused tightly on the patent hearing, as Matthew Buchanan points out, MLB is also testifying today on the Hill.

LINK:

• AIPLA letter to the House Subcommittee