Client Alert - Intellectual Property - Leahy-Smith America Invents Act 2011 “Reinvents” Patent Law

On Friday, September 16, 2011, President Obama signed into law the most comprehensive overhaul of the United States Patent system since the first patent was issued.   Entitled the "America Invents Act" (AIA), the Act is intended to encourage innovation, promote job creation and stimulate economic growth.  The Act will be phased in over a period of 18 months, and still requires significant rulemaking to enact the specific provisions.