Just days after a U.S. Federal Court struck down the USPTO administrative rule changes (See April 3, 2008 post), the United States Senate appears ready to take up the task of reforming the U.S. Patent system.  However, debate is expected to be contentious as Senators attempt to make the first substantive changes to U.S. patent law in nearly 50 years.  A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, stated publicly last week that the Patent Reform Bill (S. 1145) could come to the Senate Floor the week of April 7, 2008. 

The House has already passed their version of the Patent Reform Bill (H.R. 1908) last year.  If the Senate version is passed, it will need to be reconciled in a conference with the House passed version.  Additionally, the combined legislation will need to pass both chambers again and be signed into law by President George W. Bush. 

 http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207001664