[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 507 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 507

 To establish the United States Patent and Trademark Organization as a 
  Government corporation, to amend the provisions of title 35, United 
States Code, relating to procedures for patent applications, commercial 
     use of patents, reexamination reform, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 20, 1997

   Mr. Hatch introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To establish the United States Patent and Trademark Organization as a 
  Government corporation, to amend the provisions of title 35, United 
States Code, relating to procedures for patent applications, commercial 
     use of patents, reexamination reform, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Omnibus Patent Act of 1997''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
        TITLE I--UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK ORGANIZATION

Sec. 101. Short title.
  Subtitle A--Establishment of the United States Patent and Trademark 
                              Organization

Sec. 111. Establishment of the United States Patent and Trademark 
                            Organization as a Government corporation.
Sec. 112. Powers and duties.
Sec. 113. Organization and management.
Sec. 114. United States Patent Office.
Sec. 115. United States Trademark Office.
Sec. 116. Suits by and against the Organization.
Sec. 117. Funding.
Sec. 118. Transfers.
            Subtitle B--Effective Date; Technical Amendments

Sec. 131. Effective date.
Sec. 132. Technical and conforming amendments.
                  Subtitle C--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 141. References.
Sec. 142. Exercise of authorities.
Sec. 143. Savings provisions.
Sec. 144. Transfer of assets.
Sec. 145. Delegation and assignment.
Sec. 146. Authority of Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
                            with respect to functions transferred.
Sec. 147. Certain vesting of functions considered transfers.
Sec. 148. Availability of existing funds.
Sec. 149. Definitions.
           TITLE II--EARLY PUBLICATION OF PATENT APPLICATIONS

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Early publication.
Sec. 203. Time for claiming benefit of earlier filing date.
Sec. 204. Provisional rights.
Sec. 205. Prior art effect of published applications.
Sec. 206. Cost recovery for publication.
Sec. 207. Conforming changes.
Sec. 208. Last day of pendency of provisional application.
Sec. 209. Effective date.
                   TITLE III--PATENT TERM RESTORATION

Sec. 301. Patent term extension authority.
Sec. 302. Effective date.
                TITLE IV--PRIOR DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL USE

Sec. 401. Short title.
Sec. 402. Defense to patent infringement based on prior domestic 
                            commercial use.
Sec. 403. Effective date and applicability.
                  TITLE V--PATENT REEXAMINATION REFORM

Sec. 501. Short title.
Sec. 502. Definitions.
Sec. 503. Reexamination procedures.
Sec. 504. Conforming amendments.
Sec. 505. Effective date.
               TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS PATENT PROVISIONS

Sec. 601. Provisional applications.
Sec. 602. International applications.
Sec. 603. Plant patents.
Sec. 604. Electronic filing.

        TITLE I--UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK ORGANIZATION

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``United States Patent and Trademark 
Organization Act of 1997''.

  Subtitle A--Establishment of the United States Patent and Trademark 
                              Organization

SEC. 111. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK 
              ORGANIZATION AS A GOVERNMENT CORPORATION.

    (a) Establishment.--The United States Patent and Trademark 
Organization is established as a wholly owned Government corporation 
subject to chapter 91 of title 31, separate from any department, and 
shall be an agency of the United States under the policy direction of 
the Secretary of Commerce.
    (b) Offices.--The United States Patent and Trademark Organization 
shall maintain its principal office in the District of Columbia, or the 
metropolitan area thereof, for the service of process and papers and 
for the purpose of carrying out its powers, duties, and obligations 
under this title. The United States Patent and Trademark Organization 
shall be deemed, for purposes of venue in civil actions, to be a 
resident of the district in which its principal office is located 
except where jurisdiction is otherwise provided by law. The United 
States Patent and Trademark Organization may establish satellite 
offices in such places as it considers necessary and appropriate in the 
conduct of its business.
    (c) Reference.--For purposes of this title, a reference to the 
``Organization'' shall be a reference to the United States Patent and 
Trademark Organization, unless the context provides otherwise.

SEC. 112. POWERS AND DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The United States Patent and Trademark 
Organization, under the policy direction of the Secretary of Commerce, 
shall be responsible for--
            (1) the granting and issuing of patents and the 
        registration of trademarks;
            (2) conducting studies, programs, or exchanges of items or 
        services regarding domestic and international patent and 
        trademark law, the administration of the Organization, or any 
        other function vested in the Organization by law, including 
        programs to recognize, identify, assess, and forecast the 
        technology of patented inventions and their utility to 
        industry;
            (3)(A) authorizing or conducting studies and programs 
        cooperatively with foreign patent and trademark offices and 
        international organizations, in connection with the granting 
        and issuing of patents and the registration of trademarks; and
            (B) with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, 
        authorizing the transfer of not to exceed $100,000 in any year 
        to the Department of State for the purpose of making special 
        payments to international intergovernmental organizations for 
        studies and programs for advancing international cooperation 
        concerning patents, trademarks, and related matters; and
            (4) disseminating to the public information with respect to 
        patents and trademarks.
    (b) Special Payments.--The special payments under subsection 
(a)(3)(B) may be in addition to any other payments or contributions to 
international organizations and shall not be subject to any limitations 
imposed by law on the amounts of such other payments or contributions 
by the United States Government.
    (c) Specific Powers.--The Organization--
            (1) shall have perpetual succession;
            (2) shall adopt and use a corporate seal, which shall be 
        judicially noticed and with which letters patent, certificates 
        of trademark registrations, and papers issued by the 
        Organization shall be authenticated;
            (3) may sue and be sued in its corporate name and be 
        represented by its own attorneys in all judicial and 
        administrative proceedings, subject to the provisions of 
        section 116;
            (4) may indemnify the Director of the United States Patent 
        and Trademark Organization, the Commissioner of Patents, the 
        Commissioner of Trademarks, and other officers, attorneys, 
        agents, and employees (including members of the Management 
        Advisory Boards of the Patent Office and the Trademark Office) 
        of the Organization for liabilities and expenses incurred 
        within the scope of their employment;
            (5) may adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, rules, 
        regulations, and determinations, which--
                    (A) shall govern the manner in which its business 
                will be conducted and the powers granted to it by law 
                will be exercised; and
                    (B) shall be made after notice and opportunity for 
                full participation by interested public and private 
                parties;
            (6) may acquire, construct, purchase, lease, hold, manage, 
        operate, improve, alter, and renovate any real, personal, or 
        mixed property, or any interest therein, as it considers 
        necessary to carry out its functions;
            (7)(A) may make such purchases, contracts for the 
        construction, maintenance, or management and operation of 
        facilities, and contracts for supplies or services, without 
        regard to the provisions of the Federal Property and 
        Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.), 
        the Public Buildings Act (40 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and the 
        Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et 
        seq.); and
            (B) may enter into and perform such purchases and contracts 
        for printing services, including the process of composition, 
        platemaking, presswork, silk screen processes, binding, 
        microform, and the products of such processes, as it considers 
        necessary to carry out the functions of the Organization, 
        without regard to sections 501 through 517 and 1101 through 
        1123 of title 44, United States Code;
            (8) may use, with their consent, services, equipment, 
        personnel, and facilities of other departments, agencies, and 
        instrumentalities of the Federal Government, on a reimbursable 
        basis, and cooperate with such other departments, agencies, and 
        instrumentalities in the establishment and use of services, 
        equipment, and facilities of the Organization;
            (9) may obtain from the Administrator of General Services 
        such services as the Administrator is authorized to provide to 
        other agencies of the United States, on the same basis as those 
        services are provided to other agencies of the United States;
            (10) may use, with the consent of the United States and the 
        agency, government, or international organization concerned, 
        the services, records, facilities, or personnel of any State or 
        local government agency or instrumentality or foreign 
        government or international organization to perform functions 
        on its behalf;
            (11) may determine the character of, and the necessity for, 
        its obligations and expenditures and the manner in which they 
        shall be incurred, allowed, and paid, subject to the provisions 
        of title 35, United States Code and the Act of July 5, 1946 
        (commonly referred to as the Trademark Act of 1946);
            (12) may retain and use all of its revenues and receipts, 
        including revenues from the sale, lease, or disposal of any 
        real, personal, or mixed property, or any interest therein, of 
        the Organization, including for research and development and 
        capital investment, subject to the provisions of section 10101 
        of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (35 U.S.C. 41 
        note);
            (13) shall have the priority of the United States with 
        respect to the payment of debts from bankrupt, insolvent, and 
        decedents' estates;
            (14) may accept monetary gifts or donations of services, or 
        of real, personal, or mixed property, in order to carry out the 
        functions of the Organization;
            (15) may execute, in accordance with its bylaws, rules, and 
        regulations, all instruments necessary and appropriate in the 
        exercise of any of its powers; and
            (16) may provide for liability insurance and insurance 
        against any loss in connection with its property, other assets, 
        or operations either by contract or by self-insurance.
    (d) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
nullify, void, cancel, or interrupt any pending request-for-proposal 
let or contract issued by the General Services Administration for the 
specific purpose of relocating or leasing space to the United States 
Patent and Trademark Organization.

SEC. 113. ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Offices.--The United States Patent and Trademark Organization 
shall consist of--
            (1) the Office of the Director;
            (2) the United States Patent Office; and
            (3) the United States Trademark Office.
    (b) Director.--
            (1) In general.--The management of the United States Patent 
        and Trademark Organization shall be vested in a Director of the 
        United States Patent and Trademark Organization (hereafter in 
        this title referred to as the ``Director'', unless the context 
        provides otherwise), who shall be a citizen of the United 
        States and who shall be appointed by the President, by and with 
        the advice and consent of the Senate. The Director shall be a 
        person who, by reason of professional background and experience 
        in patent or trademark law, is especially qualified to manage 
        the Organization.
            (2) Duties.--(A) The Director shall--
                    (i) be responsible for the Management and direction 
                of the Organization and shall perform this duty in a 
                fair, impartial, and equitable manner; and
                    (ii) strive to meet the goals set forth in the 
                performance agreement described under paragraph (4).
            (B) The Director shall advise the President, through and 
        under the policy direction of the Secretary of Commerce, of all 
        activities of the Organization undertaken in response to 
        obligations of the United States under treaties and executive 
        agreements, or which relate to cooperative programs with those 
        authorities of foreign governments that are responsible for 
        granting patents or registering trademarks. The Director shall 
        also recommend to the President, through and under the policy 
        direction of the Secretary of Commerce, changes in law or 
        policy which may improve the ability of United States citizens 
        to secure and enforce patent and trademark rights in the United 
        States or in foreign countries.
            (C)(i) At the direction of the President, the Director may 
        represent the United States in international negotiations on 
        matters of patents or trademarks, or may designate an officer 
        or officers of the Organization to participate in such 
        negotiations.
            (ii) Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to 
        alter any statutory responsibility of the Secretary of State or 
        the United States Trade Representative.
            (D) The Director, in consultation with the Director of the 
        Office of Personnel Management, shall maintain a program for 
        identifying national security positions and providing for 
        appropriate security clearances.
            (E) The Director may perform such personnel, procurement, 
        and other functions, with respect to the United States Patent 
        Office and the United States Trademark Office, where a 
        centralized administration of such functions would improve the 
        efficiency of the Offices, as determined by agreement of the 
        Director, the Commissioner of Patents, and the Commissioner of 
        Trademarks.
            (F) Except as otherwise provided in this title, the 
        Director shall ensure that--
                    (i) the United States Patent Office and the United 
                States Trademark Office, respectively, shall--
                            (I) prepare all appropriation requests 
                        under section 1108 of title 31, United States 
                        Code, for each office for submission by the 
                        Director;
                            (II) adjust fees to provide sufficient 
                        revenues to cover the expenses of such office; 
                        and
                            (III) expend funds derived from such fees 
                        for only the functions of such office; and
                    (ii) each such office is not involved in the 
                management of any other office.
            (3) Oath.--The Director shall, before taking office, take 
        an oath to discharge faithfully the duties of the Organization.
            (4) Compensation.--The Director shall receive compensation 
        at the rate of pay in effect for level III of the Executive 
        Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code and, 
        in addition, may receive as a bonus, an amount which would 
        raise total compensation to the equivalent of the level of the 
        rate of pay in effect for level II of the Executive Schedule 
        under section 5313 of title 5, based upon an evaluation by the 
        Secretary of Commerce of the Director's performance as defined 
        in an annual performance agreement between the Director and the 
        Secretary. The annual performance agreement shall incorporate 
        measurable goals as delineated in an annual performance plan 
        agreed to by the Director and the Secretary.
            (5) Removal.--The Director shall serve at the pleasure of 
        the President.
            (6) Designee of director.--The Director shall designate an 
        officer of the Organization who shall be vested with the 
        authority to act in the capacity of the Director in the event 
        of the absence or incapacity of the Director.
    (c) Officers and Employees of the Organization.--
            (1) Commissioners of patents and trademarks.--The Director 
        shall appoint a Commissioner of Patents and a Commissioner of 
        Trademarks under section 3 of title 35, United States Code and 
        section 53 of the Act of July 5, 1946 (commonly referred to as 
        the Trademark Act of 1946), respectively, as amended by this 
        Act.
            (2) Other officers and employees.--The Director shall--
                    (A) appoint officers, employees (including 
                attorneys), and agents of the Organization as the 
                Director considers necessary to carry out its 
                functions;
                    (B) fix the compensation of such officers and 
                employees, except as provided in subsection (e); and
                    (C) define the authority and duties of such 
                officers and employees and delegate to them such of the 
                powers vested in the Organization as the Director may 
                determine.
            (3) Personnel limitations.--The Organization shall not be 
        subject to any administratively or statutorily imposed 
        limitation on positions or personnel, and no positions or 
        personnel of the Organization shall be taken into account for 
        purposes of applying any such limitation.
    (d) Limits on Compensation.--Except as otherwise provided by law, 
the annual rate of basic pay of an officer or employee of the 
Organization may not be fixed at a rate that exceeds, and total 
compensation payable to any such officer or employee for any year may 
not exceed, the annual rate of basic pay in effect for level II of the 
Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United States Code. 
The Director shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to 
carry out this subsection.
    (e) Inapplicability of Title 5, United States Code, Generally.--
Except as otherwise provided in this section, officers and employees of 
the Organization shall not be subject to the provisions of title 5, 
United States Code, relating to Federal employees.
    (f) Continued Applicability of Certain Provision of Title 5, United 
States Code.--
            (1) In general.--The following provisions of title 5, 
        United States Code, shall apply to the Organization and its 
        officers and employees:
                    (A) Section 3110 (relating to employment of 
                relatives; restrictions).
                    (B) Subchapter II of chapter 55 (relating to 
                withholding pay).
                    (C) Subchapters II and III of chapter 73 (relating 
                to employment limitations and political activities, 
                respectively).
                    (D) Chapter 71 (relating to labor-management 
                relations), subject to paragraph (2) and subsection 
                (g).
                    (E) Section 3303 (relating to political 
                recommendations).
                    (F) Subchapter II of chapter 61 (relating to 
                flexible and compressed work schedules).
                    (G) Section 21302(b)(8) (relating to whistleblower 
                protection) and whistleblower related provisions of 
                chapter 12 (covering the role of the Office of Special 
                Counsel).
            (2) Compensation subject to collective bargaining.--
                    (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other 
                provision of law, for purposes of applying chapter 71 
                of title 5, United States Code, pursuant to paragraph 
                (1)(D), basic pay and other forms of compensation shall 
                be considered to be among the matters as to which the 
                duty to bargain in good faith extends under such 
                chapter.
                    (B) Exceptions.--The duty to bargain in good faith 
                shall not, by reason of subparagraph (A), be considered 
                to extend to any benefit under title 5, United States 
                Code, which is afforded by paragraph (1), (2), (3), or 
                (4) of subsection (g).
                    (C) Limitations apply.--Nothing in this subsection 
                shall be considered to allow any limitation under 
                subsection (d) to be exceeded.
    (g) Provisions of Title 5, United States Code, That Continue To 
Apply, Subject to Certain Requirements.--
            (1) Retirement.--(A) The provisions of subchapter III of 
        chapter 83 and chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, shall 
        apply to the Organization and its officers and employees, 
        subject to subparagraph (B).
            (B)(i) The amount required of the Organization under the 
        second sentence of section 8334(a)(1) of title 5, United States 
        Code, with respect to any particular individual shall, instead 
        of the amount which would otherwise apply, be equal to the 
        normal-cost percentage (determined with respect to officers and 
        employees of the Organization using dynamic assumptions, as 
        defined by section 8401(9) of such title) of the individual's 
        basic pay, minus the amount required to be withheld from such 
        pay under such section 8334(a)(1).
            (ii) The amount required of the Organization under section 
        8334(k)(1)(B) of title 5, United States Code, with respect to 
        any particular individual shall be equal to an amount computed 
        in a manner similar to that specified in clause (i), as 
        determined in accordance with clause (iii).
            (iii) Any regulations necessary to carry out this 
        subparagraph shall be prescribed by the Office of Personnel 
        Management.
            (C) The United States Patent and Trademark Organization may 
        supplement the benefits provided under the preceding provisions 
        of this paragraph.
            (2) Health benefits.--(A) The provisions of chapter 89 of 
        title 5, United States Code, shall apply to the Organization 
        and its officers and employees, subject to subparagraph (B).
            (B)(i) With respect to any individual who becomes an 
        officer or employee of the Organization pursuant to subsection 
        (i), the eligibility of such individual to participate in such 
        program as an annuitant (or of any other person to participate 
        in such program as an annuitant based on the death of such 
        individual) shall be determined disregarding the requirements 
        of section 8905(b) of title 5, United States Code. The 
        preceding sentence shall not apply if the individual ceases to 
        be an officer or employee of the Organization for any period of 
        time after becoming an officer or employee of the Organization 
        pursuant to subsection (i) and before separation.
            (ii) The Government contributions authorized by section 
        8906 of title 5, United States Code, for health benefits for 
        anyone participating in the health benefits program pursuant to 
        this subparagraph shall be made by the Organization in the same 
        manner as provided under section 8906(g)(2) of such title with 
        respect to the United States Postal Service for individuals 
        associated therewith.
            (iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term 
        ``annuitant'' has the meaning given such term by section 
        8901(3) of title 5, United States Code.
            (C) The Organization may supplement the benefits provided 
        under the preceding provisions of this paragraph.
            (3) Life insurance.--(A) The provisions of chapter 87 of 
        title 5, United States Code, shall apply to the Organization 
        and its officers and employees, subject to subparagraph (B).
            (B)(i) Eligibility for life insurance coverage after 
        retirement or while in receipt of compensation under subchapter 
        I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, shall be 
determined, in the case of any individual who becomes an officer or 
employee of the Organization pursuant to subsection (i), without regard 
to the requirements of section 8706(b) (1) or (2) of such title, but 
subject to the condition specified in the last sentence of paragraph 
(2)(B)(i) of this subsection.
            (ii) Government contributions under section 8708(d) of such 
        title on behalf of any such individual shall be made by the 
        Organization in the same manner as provided under paragraph (3) 
        thereof with respect to the United States Postal Service for 
        individuals associated therewith.
            (C) The Organization may supplement the benefits provided 
        under the preceding provisions of this paragraph.
            (4) Employees' compensation fund.--(A) Officers and 
        employees of the Organization shall not become ineligible to 
        participate in the program under chapter 81 of title 5, United 
        States Code, relating to compensation for work injuries, by 
        reason of subsection (e).
            (B) The Organization shall remain responsible for 
        reimbursing the Employees' Compensation Fund, pursuant to 
        section 8147 of title 5, United States Code, for compensation 
        paid or payable after the effective date of this title in 
        accordance with chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, with 
        regard to any injury, disability, or death due to events 
        arising before such date, whether or not a claim has been filed 
        or is final on such date.
    (h) Labor-Management Relations.--
            (1) Labor relations and employee relations programs.--The 
        Organization shall develop hiring practices, labor relations 
        and employee relations programs with the objective of improving 
        productivity and efficiency, incorporating the following 
        principles:
                    (A) Such programs shall be consistent with the 
                merit principles in section 2301(b) of title 5, United 
                States Code.
                    (B) Such programs shall provide veterans preference 
                protections equivalent to those established by sections 
                2108, 3308 through 3318, 3320, 3502, and 3504 of title 
                5, United States Code.
                    (C)(i) The right to work shall not be subject to 
                undue restraint or coercion. The right to work shall 
                not be infringed or restricted in any way based on 
                membership in, affiliation with, or financial support 
                of a labor organization.
                    (ii) No person shall be required, as a condition of 
                employment or continuation of employment--
                            (I) to resign or refrain from voluntary 
                        membership in, voluntary affiliation with, or 
                        voluntary financial support of a labor 
                        organization;
                            (II) to become or remain a member of a 
                        labor organization;
                            (III) to pay any dues, fees, assessments, 
                        or other charges of any kind or amount to a 
                        labor organization;
                            (IV) to pay to any charity or other third 
                        party, in lieu of such payments, any amount 
                        equivalent to or a pro rata portion of dues, 
                        fees, assessments, or other charges regularly 
                        required of members of a labor organization; or
                            (V) to be recommended, approved, referred, 
                        or cleared by or through a labor organization.
                    (iii) This subparagraph shall not apply to a person 
                described in section 7103(a)(2)(v) of title 5, United 
                States Code, or a ``supervisor'', ``management 
                official'', or ``confidential employee'' as those terms 
                are defined in 7103(a) (10), (11), and (13) of such 
                title.
                    (iv) Any labor organization recognized by the 
                Organization as the exclusive representative of a unit 
                of employees of the Organization shall represent the 
                interests of all employees in that unit without 
                discrimination and without regard to labor organization 
                membership.
            (2) Adoption of existing labor agreements.--The 
        Organization shall adopt all labor agreements which are in 
        effect, as of the day before the effective date of this title, 
        with respect to such Organization (as then in effect).
    (i) Carryover of Personnel.--
            (1) From pto.--Effective as of the effective date of this 
        title, all officers and employees of the Patent and Trademark 
        Office on the day before such effective date shall become 
        officers and employees of the Organization, without a break in 
        service.
            (2) Other personnel.--(A) Any individual who, on the day 
        before the effective date of this title, is an officer or 
        employee of the Department of Commerce (other than an officer 
        or employee under paragraph (1)) shall be transferred to the 
Organization if--
                    (i) such individual serves in a position for which 
                a major function is the performance of work reimbursed 
                by the Patent and Trademark Office, as determined by 
                the Secretary of Commerce;
                    (ii) such individual serves in a position that 
                performed work in support of the Patent and Trademark 
                Office during at least half of the incumbent's work 
                time, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce; or
                    (iii) such transfer would be in the interest of the 
                Organization, as determined by the Secretary of 
                Commerce in consultation with the Director.
            (B) Any transfer under this paragraph shall be effective as 
        of the same effective date as referred to in paragraph (1), and 
        shall be made without a break in service.
            (3) Accumulated leave.--The amount of sick and annual leave 
        and compensatory time accumulated under title 5, United States 
        Code, before the effective date described in paragraph (1), by 
        any individual who becomes an officer or employee of the 
        Organization under this subsection, are obligations of the 
        Organization.
            (4) Termination rights.--Any employee referred to in 
        paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection whose employment with 
        the Organization is terminated during the 1-year period 
        beginning on the effective date of this title shall be entitled 
        to rights and benefits, to be afforded by the Organization, 
        similar to those such employee would have had under Federal law 
        if termination had occurred immediately before such date. An 
        employee who would have been entitled to appeal any such 
        termination to the Merit Systems Protection Board, if such 
        termination had occurred immediately before such effective 
        date, may appeal any such termination occurring within such 1-
        year period to the Board under such procedures as it may 
        prescribe.
            (5) Transition provisions.--(A)(i) On or after the 
        effective date of this title, the President shall appoint a 
        Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Organization 
        who shall serve until the earlier of--
                    (I) the date on which a Director qualifies under 
                subsection (a); or
                    (II) the date occurring 1 year after the effective 
                date of this title.
            (ii) The President shall not make more than 1 appointment 
        under this subparagraph.
            (B) The individual serving as the Assistant Commissioner of 
        Patents on the day before the effective date of this title 
        shall serve as the Commissioner of Patents until the date on 
        which a Commissioner of Patents is appointed under section 3 of 
        title 35, United States Code, as amended by this Act.
            (C) The individual serving as the Assistant Commissioner of 
        Trademarks on the day before the effective date of this title 
        shall serve as the Commissioner of Trademarks until the date on 
        which a Commissioner of Trademarks is appointed under section 
        53 of the Act of July 5, 1946 (commonly referred to as the 
        Trademark Act of 1946), as amended by this Act.
    (j) Competitive Status.--For purposes of appointment to a position 
in the competitive service for which an officer or employee of the 
Organization is qualified, such officer or employee shall not forfeit 
any competitive status, acquired by such officer or employee before the 
effective date of this title, by reason of becoming an officer or 
employee of the Organization under subsection (i).
    (k) Savings Provisions.--Compensation, benefits, and other terms 
and conditions of employment in effect immediately before the effective 
date of this title, whether provided by statute or by rules and 
regulations of the former Patent and Trademark Office or the executive 
branch of the Government of the United States, shall continue to apply 
to officers and employees of the Organization, until changed in 
accordance with this section (whether by action of the Director or 
otherwise).
    (l) Removal of Quasi-Judicial Examiners.--The Organization may 
remove a patent examiner or examiner-in-chief, or a trademark examiner 
or member of a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board only for such cause as 
will promote the efficiency of the Organization.

SEC. 114. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

    (a) Establishment of the Patent Office as a Separate Administrative 
Unit.--Section 1 of title 35, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows:
``Sec. 1. Establishment
    ``(a) Establishment.--The United States Patent Office is 
established as a separate administrative unit of the United States 
Patent and Trademark Organization, where records, books, drawings, 
specifications, and other papers and things pertaining to patents shall 
be kept and preserved, except as otherwise provided by law.
    ``(b) Reference.--For purposes of this title, the United States 
Patent Office shall also be referred to as the `Office' and the `Patent 
Office'.''.
    (b) Powers and Duties.--Section 2 of title 35, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 2. Powers and duties
    ``The United States Patent Office, under the policy direction of 
the Secretary of Commerce through the Director of the United States 
Patent and Trademark Organization, shall be responsible for--
            ``(1) granting and issuing patents;
            ``(2) conducting studies, programs, or exchanges of items 
        or services regarding domestic and international patent law, 
        the administration of the Organization, or any other function 
        vested in the Organization by law, including programs to 
        recognize, identify, assess, and forecast the technology of 
        patented inventions and their utility to industry;
            ``(3) authorizing or conducting studies and programs 
        cooperatively with foreign patent offices and international 
        organizations, in connection with the granting and issuing of 
        patents; and
            ``(4) disseminating to the public information with respect 
        to patents.
    (c) Organization and Management.--Section 3 of title 35, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3. Officers and employees
    ``(a) Commissioner.--
            ``(1) In general.--The management of the United States 
        Patent Office shall be vested in a Commissioner of Patents, who 
        shall be a citizen of the United States and who shall be 
        appointed by the Director of the United States Patent and 
        Trademark Organization and shall serve at the pleasure of the 
        Director of the United States Patent and Trademark 
        Organization. The Commissioner of Patents shall be a person 
        who, by reason of professional background and experience in 
        patent law, is especially qualified to manage the Office.
            ``(2) Duties.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Commissioner shall be 
                responsible for all aspects of the management, 
                administration, and operation of the Office, including 
                the granting and issuing of patents, and shall perform 
                these duties in a fair, impartial, and equitable 
                manner.
                    ``(B) Advising the director of the united states 
                patent and trademark organization.--The Commissioner of 
                Patents shall advise the Director of the United States 
                Patent and Trademark Organization of all activities of 
                the Office undertaken in response to obligations of the 
                United States under treaties and executive agreements, 
                or which relate to cooperative programs with those 
                authorities of foreign governments that are responsible 
                for granting patents. The Commissioner of Patents shall 
                advise the Director of the United States Patent and 
                Trademark Organization on matters of patent law and 
                shall recommend to the Director of the United States 
                Patent and Trademark Organization changes in law or 
                policy which may improve the ability of United States 
                citizens to secure and enforce patent rights in the 
                United States or in foreign countries.
                    ``(C) Regulations.--The Commissioner may establish 
                regulations, not inconsistent with law, for the conduct 
                of proceedings in the Patent Office. The Director of 
                the United States Patent and Trademark Organization 
                shall determine whether such regulations are consistent 
                with the policy direction of the Secretary of Commerce.
                    ``(D) Consultation with the management advisory 
                board.--(i) The Commissioner shall consult with the 
                Management Advisory Board established in section 5--
                            ``(I) on a regular basis on matters 
                        relating to the operation of the Office; and
                            ``(II) before submitting budgetary 
                        proposals to the Director of the United States 
                        Patent and Trademark Organization for 
                        submission to the Office of Management and 
                        Budget or changing or proposing to change 
                        patent user fees or patent regulations.
                    ``(ii) The Director of the United States Patent and 
                Trademark Organization shall determine whether such 
                fees or regulations are consistent with the policy 
                direction of the Secretary of Commerce.
            ``(3) Oath.--The Commissioner shall, before taking office, 
        take an oath to discharge faithfully the duties of the Office.
            ``(4) Compensation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Commissioner shall receive 
                compensation at the rate of pay in effect for level IV 
                of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 
                5.
                    ``(B) Bonus.--In addition to compensation under 
                subparagraph (A), the Commissioner may, at the 
                discretion of the Director of the United States Patent 
                and Trademark Organization, receive as a bonus, an 
                amount which would raise total compensation to the 
                equivalent of the rate of pay in effect for level III 
                of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 
                5.
    ``(b) Officers and Employees.--The Commissioner shall appoint a 
Deputy Commissioner of Patents who shall be vested with the authority 
to act in the capacity of the Commissioner in the event of the absence 
or incapacity of the Commissioner. In the event of a vacancy in the 
office of Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner shall fill the office 
of Commissioner until a new Commissioner is appointed and takes office. 
Other officers, attorneys, employees, and agents shall be selected and 
appointed by the Commissioner, and shall be vested with such powers and 
duties as the Commissioner may determine.''.
    (d) Management Advisory Board.--Chapter 1 of part I of title 35, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 4 the 
following:
``Sec. 5. Patent Office Management Advisory Board
    ``(a) Establishment of Management Advisory Board.--
            ``(1) Appointment.--The United States Patent Office shall 
        have a Management Advisory Board (hereafter in this title 
        referred to as the `Advisory Board') of 5 members, who shall be 
        appointed by the President and shall serve at the pleasure of 
        the President. Not more than 3 of the 5 members shall be 
        members of the same political party.
            ``(2) Chair.--The President shall designate a Chair of the 
        Advisory Board, whose term as chair shall be for 3 years.
            ``(3) Timing of appointments.--Initial appointments to the 
        Advisory Board shall be made within 3 months after the 
        effective date of the United States Patent and Trademark 
        Organization Act of 1997. Vacancies shall be filled in the 
        manner in which the original appointment was made under this 
        subsection within 3 months after they occur.
    ``(b) Basis for Appointments.--Members of the Advisory Board shall 
be citizens of the United States who shall be chosen so as to represent 
the interests of diverse users of the United States Patent Office, and 
shall include individuals with substantial background and achievement 
in corporate finance and management.
    ``(c) Meetings.--The Advisory Board shall meet at the call of the 
Chair to consider an agenda set by the Chair.
    ``(d) Duties.--The Advisory Board shall--
            ``(1) review the policies, goals, performance, budget, and 
        user fees of the United States Patent Office, and advise the 
        Commissioner on these matters;
            ``(2) within 60 days after the end of each fiscal year--
                    ``(A) prepare an annual report on the matters 
                referred to in paragraph (1);
                    ``(B) transmit the report to the Director of the 
                United States Patent and Trademark Organization, the 
                President, and the Committees on the Judiciary of the 
                Senate and the House of Representatives; and
                    ``(C) publish the report in the Patent Office 
                Official Gazette.
    ``(f) Compensation.--Each member of the Advisory Board shall be 
compensated for each day (including travel time) during which such 
member is attending meetings or conferences of the Advisory Board or 
otherwise engaged in the business of the Advisory Board, at the rate 
which is the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect 
for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, 
and while away from such member's home or regular place of business 
such member may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu 
of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5.
    ``(g) Access to Information.--Members of the Advisory Board shall 
be provided access to records and information in the United States 
Patent Office, except for personnel or other privileged information and 
information concerning patent applications required to be kept in 
confidence by section 122.''.
    (e) Conforming Amendments.--Section 6 of title 35, United States 
Code, and the item relating to such section in the table of contents 
for chapter 1 of title 35, United States Code, are repealed.
    (f) Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.--Section 7 of title 
35, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 7. Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences
    ``(a) Establishment and Composition.--There shall be in the United 
States Patent Office a Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. The 
Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner, and the examiners-in-chief shall 
constitute the Board. The examiners-in-chief shall be persons of 
competent legal knowledge and scientific ability.
    ``(b) Duties.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Board of Patent Appeals and 
        Interferences shall, on written appeal of an applicant, a 
        patent owner, or a third-party requester in a reexamination 
        proceeding--
                    ``(A) review adverse decisions of examiners--
                            ``(i) upon applications for patents; and
                            ``(ii) in reexamination proceedings; and
                    ``(B) determine priority and patentability of 
                invention in interferences declared under section 
                135(a).
            ``(2) Hearings.--Each appeal and interference shall be 
        heard by at least 3 members of the Board, who shall be 
        designated by the Deputy Commissioner. Only the Board of Patent 
        Appeals and Interferences may grant rehearings.''.
    (g) Annual Report of Commissioner.--Section 14 of title 35, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 14. Annual report to Congress
    ``The Commissioner shall report to the Director of the United 
States Patent and Trademark Organization such information as the 
Director is required to submit to Congress annually under chapter 91 of 
title 31, including--
            ``(1) the total of the moneys received and expended by the 
        Office;
            ``(2) the purposes for which the moneys were spent;
            ``(3) the quality and quantity of the work of the Office; 
        and
            ``(4) other information relating to the Office.''.
    (h) Practice Before Patent Office.--
            (1) In general.--Section 31 of title 35, United States 
        Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 31. Regulations for agents and attorneys
    ``The Commissioner may prescribe regulations governing the 
recognition and conduct of agents, attorneys, or other persons 
representing applicants or other parties before the Office. The 
regulations may require such persons, before being recognized as 
representatives of applicants or other persons, to show that they are 
of good moral character and reputation and are possessed of the 
necessary qualifications to render to applicants or other persons 
valuable service, advice, and assistance in the presentation or 
prosecution of their applications or other business before the 
Office.''.
            (2) Designation of attorney to conduct hearing.--Section 32 
        of title 35, United States Code, is amended in the first 
        sentence by striking ``Patent and Trademark Office'' and 
        inserting ``Patent Office'' and by inserting before the last 
        sentence the following: ``The Commissioner shall have the 
        discretion to designate any attorney who is an officer or 
        employee of the United States Patent Office to conduct the 
        hearing required by this section.''.
    (i) Funding.--
            (1) Adjustment of fees.--Section 41(f) of title 35, United 
        States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(f) The Commissioner, after consulting with the Patent Office 
Management Advisory Board pursuant to section 3(a)(2)(C) of this title 
and after notice and opportunity for full participation by interested 
public and private parties, may, by regulation, adjust the fees 
established in this section. The Director of the United States Patent 
and Trademark Organization shall determine whether such fees are 
consistent with the policy direction of the Secretary of Commerce.''.
            (2) Patent office funding.--Section 42 of title 35, United 
        States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 42. Patent Office funding
    ``(a) Fees Payable to the Office.--All fees for services performed 
by or materials furnished by the United States Patent Office shall be 
payable to the Office.
    ``(b) Use of Moneys.--Moneys from fees shall be available to the 
United States Patent Office to carry out, to the extent provided in 
appropriations Acts, the functions of the Office. Moneys of the Office 
not otherwise used to carry out the functions of the Office shall be 
kept in cash on hand or on deposit, or invested in obligations of the 
United States or guaranteed by the United States, or in obligations or 
other instruments which are lawful investments for fiduciary, trust, or 
public funds. Fees available to the Commissioner under this title shall 
be used only for the processing of patent applications and for other 
services and materials relating to patents.
    ``(c) Contribution to the Office of the Director of the United 
States Patent and Trademark Organization.--The Patent Office shall 
contribute 50 percent of the annual budget of the Office of the 
Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Organization.''.

SEC. 115. UNITED STATES TRADEMARK OFFICE.

    (a) Establishment of the United States Trademark Office as a 
Separate Administrative Unit.--The Act of July 5, 1946 (commonly 
referred to as the Trademark Act of 1946) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating titles X and XI as titles XI and XII, 
        respectively;
            (2) by redesignating sections 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, and 
        51 as sections 61, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76, respectively; 
        and
            (3) by inserting after title IX the following new title:

               ``TITLE X--UNITED STATES TRADEMARK OFFICE

``SEC. 51. ESTABLISHMENT.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The United States Trademark Office is 
established as a separate administrative unit of the United States 
Patent and Trademark Organization.
    ``(b) Reference.--For purposes of this chapter, the United States 
Trademark Office shall also be referred to as the `Office' and the 
`Trademark Office'.

``SEC. 52. POWERS AND DUTIES.

    ``The United States Trademark Office, under the policy direction of 
the Secretary of Commerce through the Director of the United States 
Patent and Trademark Organization, shall be responsible for--
            ``(1) the registration of trademarks;
            ``(2) conducting studies, programs, or exchanges of items 
        or services regarding domestic and international trademark law 
        or the administration of the Office;
            ``(3) authorizing or conducting studies and programs 
        cooperatively with foreign trademark offices and international 
        organizations, in connection with the registration of 
        trademarks; and
            ``(4) disseminating to the public information with respect 
        to trademarks.

``SEC. 53. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.

    ``(a) Commissioner.--
            ``(1) In general.--The management of the United States 
        Trademark Office shall be vested in a Commissioner of 
        Trademarks, who shall be a citizen of the United States and who 
        shall be appointed by the Director of the United States Patent 
        and Trademark Organization and shall serve at the pleasure of 
        the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark 
        Organization. The Commissioner of Trademarks shall be a person 
        who, by reason of professional background and experience in 
        trademark law, is especially qualified to manage the Office.
            ``(2) Duties.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Commissioner shall be 
                responsible for all aspects of the management, 
                administration, and operation of the Office, including 
                the registration of trademarks, and shall perform these 
                duties in a fair, impartial, and equitable manner.
                    ``(B) Advising the director of the united states 
                patent and trademark organization.--The Commissioner of 
                Trademarks shall advise the Director of the United 
                States Patent and Trademark Organization of all 
                activities of the Office undertaken in response to 
                obligations of the United States under treaties and 
                executive agreements, or which relate to cooperative 
                programs with those authorities of foreign governments 
                that are responsible for registering trademarks. The 
                Commissioner of Trademarks shall advise the Director of 
                the United States Patent and Trademark Organization on 
                matters of trademark law and shall recommend to the 
                Director of the United States Patent and Trademark 
                Organization changes in law or policy which may improve 
                the ability of United States citizens to secure and 
                enforce trademark rights in the United States or in 
                foreign countries.
                    ``(C) Regulations.--The Commissioner may establish 
                regulations, not inconsistent with law, for the conduct 
                of proceedings in the Trademark Office. The Director of 
                the United States Patent and Trademark Organization 
                shall determine whether such regulations are consistent 
                with the policy direction of the Secretary of Commerce.
                    ``(D) Consultation with the management advisory 
                board.--(i) The Commissioner shall consult with the 
                Trademark Office Management Advisory Board established 
                under section 54--
                            ``(I) on a regular basis on matters 
                        relating to the operation of the Office; and
                            ``(II) before submitting budgetary 
                        proposals to the Director of the United States 
Patent and Trademark Organization for submission to the Office of 
Management and Budget or changing or proposing to change trademark user 
fees or trademark regulations.
                    ``(ii) The Director of the United States Patent and 
                Trademark Organization shall determine whether such 
                fees or regulations are consistent with the policy 
                direction of the Secretary of Commerce.
                    ``(E) Publications.--(i) The Commissioner may 
                print, or cause to be printed, the following:
                            ``(I) Certificates of trademark 
                        registrations, including statements and 
                        drawings, together with copies of the same.
                            ``(II) The Official Gazette of the United 
                        States Trademark Office.
                            ``(III) Annual indexes of trademarks and 
                        registrants.
                            ``(IV) Annual volumes of decisions in 
                        trademark cases.
                            ``(V) Pamphlet copies of laws and rules 
                        relating to trademarks and circulars or other 
                        publications relating to the business of the 
                        Office.
                    ``(ii) The Commissioner may exchange any of the 
                publications specified under clause (i) for 
                publications desirable for the use of the Trademark 
                Office.
            ``(3) Oath.--The Commissioner shall, before taking office, 
        take an oath to discharge faithfully the duties of the Office.
            ``(4) Compensation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Commissioner shall receive 
                compensation at the rate of pay in effect for level IV 
                of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 
                5, United States Code.
                    ``(B) Bonus.--In addition to compensation under 
                subparagraph (A), the Commissioner may, at the 
                discretion of the Director of the United States Patent 
                and Trademark Organization, receive as a bonus, an 
                amount which would raise total compensation to the 
                equivalent of the rate of pay in effect for level III 
                of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 
                5.
    ``(b) Officers and Employees.--The Commissioner shall appoint a 
Deputy Commissioner of Trademarks who shall be vested with the 
authority to act in the capacity of the Commissioner in the event of 
the absence or incapacity of the Commissioner. In the event of a 
vacancy in the office of Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner shall 
fill the office of Commissioner until a new Commissioner is appointed 
and takes office. Other officers, attorneys, employees, and agents 
shall be selected and appointed by the Commissioner, and shall be 
vested with such powers and duties as the Commissioner may determine.

``SEC. 54. TRADEMARK OFFICE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY BOARD.

    ``(a) Establishment of Management Advisory Board.--
            ``(1) Appointment.--The United States Trademark Office 
        shall have a Management Advisory Board (hereafter in this title 
        referred to as the `Advisory Board') of 5 members, who shall be 
        appointed by the President and shall serve at the pleasure of 
        the President. Not more than 3 of the 5 members shall be 
        members of the same political party.
            ``(2) Chair.--The President shall designate a Chair of the 
        Advisory Board, whose term as chair shall be for 3 years.
            ``(3) Timing of appointments.--Initial appointments to the 
        Advisory Board shall be made within 3 months after the 
        effective date of the United States Patent and Trademark 
        Organization Act of 1997. Vacancies shall be filled in the 
        manner in which the original appointment was made under this 
        section within 3 months after they occur.
    ``(b) Basis for Appointments.--Members of the Advisory Board shall 
be citizens of the United States who shall be chosen so as to represent 
the interests of diverse users of the United States Trademark Office, 
and shall include individuals with substantial background and 
achievement in corporate finance and management.
    ``(c) Meetings.--The Advisory Board shall meet at the call of the 
Chair to consider an agenda set by the Chair.
    ``(d) Duties.--The Advisory Board shall--
            ``(1) review the policies, goals, performance, budget, and 
        user fees of the United States Trademark Office, and advise the 
        Commissioner on these matters; and
            ``(2) within 60 days after the end of each fiscal year--
                    ``(A) prepare an annual report on the matters 
                referred to under paragraph (1);
                    ``(B) transmit the report to the Director of the 
                United States Patent and Trademark Organization, the 
                President, and the Committees on the Judiciary of the 
                Senate and the House of Representatives; and
                    ``(C) publish the report in the Trademark Office 
                Official Gazette.
    ``(f) Compensation.--Each member of the Advisory Board shall be 
compensated for each day (including travel time) during which such 
member is attending meetings or conferences of the Advisory Board or 
otherwise engaged in the business of the Advisory Board, at the rate 
which is the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect 
for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, 
United States Code, and while away from such member's home or regular 
place of business such member may be allowed travel expenses, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 
5, United States Code.
    ``(g) Access to Information.--Members of the Advisory Board shall 
be provided access to records and information in the United States 
Trademark Office, except for personnel or other privileged information.

``SEC. 55. ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    ``The Commissioner shall report to the Director of the United 
States Patent and Trademark Organization such information as the 
Director is required to report to Congress annually under chapter 91 of 
title 5, including--
            ``(1) the moneys received and expended by the Office;
            ``(2) the purposes for which the moneys were spent;
            ``(3) the quality and quantity of the work of the Office; 
        and
            ``(4) other information relating to the Office.

``SEC. 56. TRADEMARK OFFICE FUNDING.

    ``(a) Fees Payable to the Office.--All fees for services performed 
by or materials furnished by the United States Trademark Office shall 
be payable to the Office.
    ``(b) Use of Moneys.--Moneys from fees shall be available to the 
United States Trademark Office to carry out, to the extent provided in 
appropriations Acts, the functions of the Office. Moneys of the Office 
not otherwise used to carry out the functions of the Office shall be 
kept in cash on hand or on deposit, or invested in obligations of the 
United States or guaranteed by the United States, or in obligations or 
other instruments which are lawful investments for fiduciary, trust, or 
public funds. Fees available to the Commissioner under this chapter 
shall be used only for the registration of trademarks and for other 
services and materials relating to trademarks.
    ``(c) Contribution to the Office of the Director of the United 
States Patent and Trademark Organization.--The Trademark Office shall 
contribute 50 percent of the annual budget of the Office of the 
Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Organization.''.
    (b) Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.--Section 17 of the Act of 
July 5, 1946 (commonly referred to as the Trademark Act of 1946) (15 
U.S.C. 1067) is amended to read as follows:
    ``Sec. 17. (a) In every case of interference, opposition to 
registration, application to register as a lawful concurrent user, or 
application to cancel the registration of a mark, the Commissioner 
shall give notice to all parties and shall direct a Trademark Trial and 
Appeal Board to determine and decide the respective rights of 
registration.
    ``(b) The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board shall include the 
Commissioner of Trademarks, the Deputy Commissioner of Trademarks, and 
members competent in trademark law who are appointed by the 
Commissioner.''.
    (c) Determination of Fees.--Section 31(a) of the Act of July 5, 
1946 (commonly referred to as the Trademark Act of 1946) (15 U.S.C. 
1067(a)) is amended by striking the second and third sentences and 
inserting the following: ``Fees established under this subsection may 
be adjusted by the Commissioner, after consulting with the Trademark 
Office Management Advisory Board in accordance with section 53(a)(2)(C) 
of this Act and after notice and opportunity for full participation by 
interested public and private parties. The Director of the United 
States Patent and Trademark Organization shall determine whether such 
fees are consistent with the policy direction of the Secretary of 
Commerce.''.

SEC. 116. SUITS BY AND AGAINST THE ORGANIZATION.

    (a) Actions Under United States Law.--Any civil action or 
proceeding to which the United States Patent and Trademark Organization 
is a party is deemed to arise under the laws of the United States. The 
Federal courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all civil actions 
by or against the Organization.
    (b) Representation by the Department of Justice.--The United States 
Patent and Trademark Organization shall be deemed an agency of the 
United States for purposes of section 516 of title 28, United States 
Code.
    (c) Prohibition on Attachment, Liens, or Similar Process.--No 
attachment, garnishment, lien, or similar process, intermediate or 
final, in law or equity, may be issued against property of the 
Organization.

SEC. 117. FUNDING.

    (a) In General.--The activities of the United States Patent and 
Trademark Organization and each office of the Organization shall be 
funded entirely through fees payable to the United States Patent Office 
(under section 42 of title 35, United States Code) and the United 
States Trademark Office (under section 56 of the Act of July 5, 1946 
(commonly known as the Trademark Act of 1946)), and surcharges 
appropriated by Congress, to the extent provided in appropriations Acts 
and subject to the provisions of subsection (b).
    (b) Borrowing Authority.--
            (1) In general.--The United States Patent and Trademark 
        Organization is authorized to issue from time to time for 
        purchase by the Secretary of the Treasury its debentures, 
        bonds, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness (hereafter in 
        this subsection referred to as ``obligations'') to assist in 
        financing the activities of the United States Patent Office and 
        the United States Trademark Office. Borrowing under this 
        section shall be subject to prior approval in appropriations 
        Acts. Such borrowing shall not exceed amounts approved in 
        appropriations Acts.
            (2) Borrowing authority.--Any borrowing under this 
        subsection shall be repaid only from fees paid to the Office 
        for which such obligations were issued and surcharges 
        appropriated by Congress. Such obligations shall be redeemable 
        at the option of the United States Patent and Trademark 
        Organization before maturity in the manner stipulated in such 
        obligations and shall have such maturity as is determined by 
        the United States Patent and Trademark Organization with the 
        approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. Each such obligation 
        issued to the Treasury shall bear interest at a rate not less 
        than the current yield on outstanding marketable obligations of 
        the United States of comparable maturity during the month 
        preceding the issuance of the obligation as determined by the 
        Secretary of the Treasury.
            (3) Purchase of obligations.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
        shall purchase any obligations of the United States Patent and 
        Trademark Organization issued under this subsection and for 
        such purpose the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to use 
        as a public-debt transaction the proceeds of any securities 
        issued under chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, and 
        the purposes for which securities may be issued under that 
        chapter are extended to include such purpose.
            (4) Treatment.--Payment under this subsection of the 
        purchase price of such obligations of the United States Patent 
        and Trademark Organization shall be treated as public debt 
        transactions of the United States.

SEC. 118. TRANSFERS.

    (a) Transfer of Functions.--Except as relates to the direction of 
patent and trademark policy, there are transferred to, and vested in, 
the United States Patent and Trademark Organization all functions, 
powers, and duties vested by law in the Secretary of Commerce or the 
Department of Commerce or in the officers or components in the 
Department of Commerce with respect to the authority to grant patents 
and register trademarks, and in the Patent and Trademark Office, as in 
effect on the day before the effective date of this title, and in the 
officers and components of such office.
    (b) Transfer of Funds and Property.--The Secretary of Commerce 
shall transfer to the United States Patent and Trademark Organization, 
on the effective date of this title, so much of the assets, 
liabilities, contracts, property, records, and unexpended and 
unobligated balances of appropriations, authorizations, allocations, 
and other funds employed, held, used, arising from, available to, or to 
be made available to the Department of Commerce, including funds set 
aside for accounts receivable which are related to functions, powers, 
and duties which are vested in the United States Patent and Trademark 
Office by this title.

            Subtitle B--Effective Date; Technical Amendments

SEC. 131. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect 
4 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 132. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Amendments to Title 35.--
            (1) Table of parts.--The item relating to part I in the 
        table of parts for title 35, United States Code, is amended to 
        read as follows:

``I. United States Patent Office............................      1.''.
            (2) Heading.--The heading for part I of title 35, United 
        States Code, is amended to read as follows:

                ``PART I--UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE''.

            (3) Table of chapters.--The table of chapters for part I of 
        title 35, United States Code, is amended by amending the item 
        relating to chapter 1 to read as follows:

``1. Establishment, Officers and Employees, Functions.......       1''.
            (4) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 1 
        of title 35, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``CHAPTER 1--ESTABLISHMENT, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, FUNCTIONS

``Sec.
``1. Establishment.
``2. Powers and duties.
``3. Officers and employees.
``4. Restrictions on officers and employees as to interest in patents.
``5. Patent Office Management Advisory Board.
``6. Duties of Commissioner.
``7. Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.
``8. Library.
``9. Classification of patents.
``10. Certified copies of records.
``11. Publications.
``12. Exchange of copies of patents with foreign countries.
``13. Copies of patents for public libraries.
``14. Annual report to Congress.''.
            (5) Commissioner of patents and trademarks.--(A) Section 
        41(h)(1) of title 35, United States Code, is amended by 
        striking ``Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks'' and 
        inserting ``Commissioner''.
            (B) Section 155 of title 35, United States Code, is amended 
        by striking ``Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks'' and 
        inserting ``Commissioner''.
            (C) Section 155A(c) of title 35, United States Code, is 
        amended by striking ``Commissioner of Patents'' and inserting 
        ``Commissioner''.
            (6) Patent and trademark office.--The provisions of title 
        35, United States Code, are amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place it appears and inserting ``Patent 
        Office''.
    (b) Amendments to the Trademark Act of 1946.--
            (1) References.--All amendments in this subsection refer to 
        the Act of July 5, 1946 (commonly referred to as the Trademark 
        Act of 1946).
            (2) Amendments relating to commissioner.--Section 61 (as 
        redesignated by section 115(a)(2) of this Act) is amended by 
        striking the undesignated paragraph relating to the definition 
        of the term ``Commissioner'' and inserting the following:
    ``The term `Commissioner' means the Commissioner of Trademarks.''.
            (3) Amendments relating to patent and trademark office.--
        (A) Section 1(a)(1) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (B) Section 1(a)(2) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (C) Section 1(b)(1) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (D) Section 1(b)(2) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (E) Section 1(d)(1) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place such term appears and inserting 
        ``Trademark Office''.
            (F) Section 1(e) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (G) Section 2(d) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (H) Section 7(a) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place such term appears and inserting 
        ``Trademark Office''.
            (I) Section 7(d) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (J) Section 7(e) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place such term appears and inserting 
        ``Trademark Office''.
            (K) Section 7(f) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place such term appears and inserting 
        ``Trademark Office''.
            (L) Section 7(g) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place such term appears and inserting 
        ``Trademark Office''.
            (M) Section 8(a) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (N) Section 8(b) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (O) Section 10 is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place such term appears and inserting 
        ``Trademark Office''.
            (P) Section 12(a) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (Q) Section 13(a) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (R) Section 13(b)(1) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place such term appears and inserting 
        ``Trademark Office''.
            (S) Section 15(2) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (T) Section 17 is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (U) Section 21(a)(2) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (V) Section 21(a)(3) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place such term appears and inserting 
        ``Trademark Office''.
            (W) Section 21(a)(4) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place such term appears and inserting 
        ``Trademark Office''.
            (X) Section 21(b)(3) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place such term appears and inserting 
        ``Trademark Office''.
            (Y) Section 21(b)(4) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (Z) Section 24 is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (AA) Section 29 is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' each place such term appears and inserting 
        ``Trademark Office''.
            (BB) Section 30 is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (CC) Section 31(a) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (DD) Section 34(a) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (EE) Section 34(d)(1)(B)(i) is amended by striking ``Patent 
        and Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (FF) Section 35(a) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (GG) Section 36 is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (HH) Section 37 is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (II) Section 38 is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (JJ) Section 39(b) is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (KK) Section 41 is amended by striking ``Patent and 
        Trademark Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (LL) Section 61 (as redesignated under section 115(a)(2) of 
        this Act) is amended in the undesignated paragraph relating to 
        the definition of ``registered mark''--
                    (i) by striking ``Patent and Trade Mark Office'' 
                and inserting ``Trademark Office; and
                    (ii) by striking ``Patent and Trade Office'' and 
                inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (MM) Section 72(a) (as redesignated under section 115(a)(2) 
        of this Act) is amended by striking ``Patent and Trademark 
        Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
            (NN) Section 75 (as redesignated under section 115(a)(2) of 
        this Act) is amended by striking ``Patent and Trademark 
        Office'' and inserting ``Trademark Office''.
    (c) Amendments to Title 5.--Section 5316 of title 5, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Commissioner of Patents, Department of 
        Commerce.''; and
            (2) by striking:
            ``Deputy Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks.
            ``Assistant Commissioner for Patents.
            ``Assistant Commissioner for Trademarks.''.
    (d) Amendment to Title 31.--Section 9101(3) of title 31, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(O) the United States Patent and Trademark 
                Organization.''.
    (e) Amendments to Inspector General Act of 1978.--Section 11 of the 
Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``or the Commissioner of 
        Social Security, Social Security Administration;'' and 
        inserting ``the Commissioner of Social Security, Social 
        Security Administration; or the Director of the United States 
        Patent and Trademark Organization, United States Patent and 
        Trademark Organization;''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2) by striking ``or the Veterans' 
        Administration, or the Social Security Administration;'' and 
        inserting ``the Veterans' Administration, the Social Security 
        Administration, or the United States Patent and Trademark 
        Organization;''.

                  Subtitle C--Miscellaneous Provisions

SEC. 141. REFERENCES.

    Any reference in any other Federal law, Executive order, rule, 
regulation, or delegation of authority, or any document of or 
pertaining to a department, agency, or office from which a function is 
transferred by this title--
            (1) to the head of such department, agency, or office is 
        deemed to refer to the head of the department, agency, or 
        office to which such function is transferred; or
            (2) to such department, agency, or office is deemed to 
        refer to the department, agency, or office to which such 
        function is transferred.

SEC. 142. EXERCISE OF AUTHORITIES.

    Except as otherwise provided by law, a Federal official to whom a 
function is transferred by this title may, for purposes of performing 
the function, exercise all authorities under any other provision of law 
that were available with respect to the performance of that function to 
the official responsible for the performance of the function 
immediately before the effective date of the transfer of the function 
under this title.

SEC. 143. SAVINGS PROVISIONS.

    (a) Legal Documents.--All orders, determinations, rules, 
regulations, permits, grants, loans, contracts, agreements, 
certificates, licenses, and privileges that--
            (1) have been issued, made, granted, or allowed to become 
        effective by the President, the Secretary of Commerce, any 
        officer or employee of any office transferred by this title, or 
        any other Government official, or by a court of competent 
        jurisdiction, in the performance of any function that is 
        transferred by this title, and
            (2) are in effect on the effective date of such transfer 
        (or become effective after such date pursuant to their terms as 
        in effect on such effective date), shall continue in effect 
        according to their terms until modified, terminated, 
        superseded, set aside, or revoked in accordance with law by the 
        President, any other authorized official, a court of competent 
        jurisdiction, or operation of law.
    (b) Proceedings.--This title shall not affect any proceedings or 
any application for any benefits, service, license, permit, 
certificate, or financial assistance pending on the effective date of 
this title before an office transferred by this title, but such 
proceedings and applications shall be continued. Orders shall be issued 
in such proceedings, appeals shall be taken therefrom, and payments 
shall be made pursuant to such orders, as if this title had not been 
enacted, and orders issued in any such proceeding shall continue in 
effect until modified, terminated, superseded, or revoked by a duly 
authorized official, by a court of competent jurisdiction, or by 
operation of law. Nothing in this subsection shall be considered to 
prohibit the discontinuance or modification of any such proceeding 
under the same terms and conditions and to the same extent that such 
proceeding could have been discontinued or modified if this title had 
not been enacted.
    (c) Suits.--This title shall not affect suits commenced before the 
effective date of this title, and in all such suits, proceedings shall 
be had, appeals taken, and judgments rendered in the same manner and 
with the same effect as if this title had not been enacted.
    (d) Nonabatement of Actions.--No suit, action, or other proceeding 
commenced by or against the Department of Commerce or the Secretary of 
Commerce, or by or against any individual in the official capacity of 
such individual as an officer or employee of an office transferred by 
this title, shall abate by reason of the enactment of this title.
    (e) Continuance of Suits.--If any Government officer in the 
official capacity of such officer is party to a suit with respect to a 
function of the officer, and under this title such function is 
transferred to any other officer or office, then such suit shall be 
continued with the other officer or the head of such other office, as 
applicable, substituted or added as a party.
    (f) Administrative Procedure and Judicial Review.--Except as 
otherwise provided by this title, any statutory requirements relating 
to notice, hearings, action upon the record, or administrative or 
judicial review that apply to any function transferred by this title 
shall apply to the exercise of such function by the head of the Federal 
agency, and other officers of the agency, to which such function is 
transferred by this title.

SEC. 144. TRANSFER OF ASSETS.

    Except as otherwise provided in this title, so much of the 
personnel, property, records, and unexpended balances of 
appropriations, allocations, and other funds employed, used, held, 
available, or to be made available in connection with a function 
transferred to an official or agency by this title shall be available 
to the official or the head of that agency, respectively, at such time 
or times as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget directs 
for use in connection with the functions transferred.

SEC. 145. DELEGATION AND ASSIGNMENT.

    (a) In General.--Except as otherwise expressly prohibited by law or 
otherwise provided in this title, an official to whom functions are 
transferred under this title (including the head of any office to which 
functions are transferred under this title) may--
            (1) delegate any of the functions so transferred to such 
        officers and employees of the office of the official as the 
        official may designate; and
            (2) authorize successive redelegations of such functions as 
        may be necessary or appropriate.
    (b) Responsibility for Administration.--No delegation of functions 
under this section or under any other provision of this title shall 
relieve the official to whom a function is transferred under this title 
of responsibility for the administration of the function.

SEC. 146. AUTHORITY OF DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET 
              WITH RESPECT TO FUNCTIONS TRANSFERRED.

    (a) Determinations.--If necessary, the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget shall make any determination of the functions 
that are transferred under this title.
    (b) Incidental Transfers.--The Director of the Office of Management 
and Budget, at such time or times as the Director shall provide, may 
make such determinations as may be necessary with regard to the 
functions transferred by this title, and to make such additional 
incidental dispositions of personnel, assets, liabilities, grants, 
contracts, property, records, and unexpended balances of 
appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and other funds held, 
used, arising from, available to, or to be made available in connection 
with such functions, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this title.
    (c) Termination of Affairs.--The Director shall provide for the 
termination of the affairs of all entities terminated by this title and 
for such further measures and dispositions as may be necessary to 
effectuate the purposes of this title.

SEC. 147. CERTAIN VESTING OF FUNCTIONS CONSIDERED TRANSFERS.

    For purposes of this title, the vesting of a function in a 
department, agency, or office pursuant to reestablishment of an office 
shall be considered to be the transfer of the function.

SEC. 148. AVAILABILITY OF EXISTING FUNDS.

    Existing appropriations and funds available for the performance of 
functions, programs, and activities terminated pursuant to this title 
shall remain available, for the duration of their period of 
availability, for necessary expenses in connection with the termination 
and resolution of such functions, programs, and activities.

SEC. 149. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this title--
            (1) the term ``function'' includes any duty, obligation, 
        power, authority, responsibility, right, privilege, activity, 
        or program; and
            (2) the term ``office'' includes any office, 
        administration, agency, bureau, institute, council, unit, 
        organizational entity, or component thereof.

           TITLE II--EARLY PUBLICATION OF PATENT APPLICATIONS

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Patent Application Publication Act 
of 1997''.

SEC. 202. EARLY PUBLICATION.

    Section 122 of title 35, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows:
``Sec. 122. Confidential status of applications; publication of patent 
              applications
    ``(a) Confidentiality.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
applications for patents shall be kept in confidence by the Patent 
Office and no information concerning the same given without authority 
of the applicant or owner unless necessary to carry out the provisions 
of an Act of Congress or in such special circumstances as may be 
determined by the Commissioner.
    ``(b) Publication.--
            ``(1) In general.--(A) Subject to paragraph (2), each 
        application for patent, except applications for design patents 
        filed under chapter 16 of this title and provisional 
        applications filed under section 111(b) of this title, shall be 
        published, in accordance with procedures determined by the 
        Commissioner, as soon as possible after the expiration of a 
        period of 18 months from the earliest filing date for which a 
        benefit is sought under this title. At the request of the 
        applicant, an application may be published earlier than the end 
        of such 18-month period.
            ``(B) No information concerning published patent 
        applications shall be made available to the public except as 
        the Commissioner determines.
            ``(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a 
        determination by the Commissioner to release or not to release 
        information concerning a published patent application shall be 
        final and nonreviewable.
            ``(2) Exceptions.--(A) An application that is no longer 
        pending shall not be published.
            ``(B) An application that is subject to a secrecy order 
        pursuant to section 181 of this title shall not be published.
            ``(C)(i) Upon the request of the applicant at the time of 
        filing, the application shall not be published in accordance 
        with paragraph (1) until 3 months after the Commissioner makes 
        a notification to the applicant under section 132 of this 
        title.
            ``(ii) Applications filed pursuant to section 363 of this 
        title, applications asserting priority under section 119 or 
        365(a) of this title, and applications asserting the benefit of 
        an earlier application under section 120, 121, or 365(c) of 
        this title shall not be eligible for a request pursuant to this 
        subparagraph.
            ``(iii) In a request under this subparagraph, the applicant 
        shall certify that the invention disclosed in the application 
        was not and will not be the subject of an application filed in 
        a foreign country.
            ``(iv) The Commissioner may establish appropriate 
        procedures and fees for making a request under this 
        subparagraph.
    ``(c) Pre-Issuance Opposition.--The provisions of this section 
shall not operate to create any new opportunity for pre-issuance 
opposition. The Commissioner may establish appropriate procedures to 
ensure that this section does not create any new opportunity for pre-
issuance opposition that did not exist prior to the adoption of this 
section.''.

SEC. 203. TIME FOR CLAIMING BENEFIT OF EARLIER FILING DATE.

    (a) In a Foreign Country.--Section 119(b) of title 35, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b)(1) No application for patent shall be entitled to this right 
of priority unless a claim, identifying the foreign application by 
specifying its application number, country, and the day, month, and 
year of its filing, is filed in the Patent Office at such time during 
the pendency of the application as required by the Commissioner.
    ``(2) The Commissioner may consider the failure of the applicant to 
file a timely claim for priority as a waiver of any such claim, and may 
require the payment of a surcharge as a condition of accepting an 
untimely claim during the pendency of the application.
    ``(3) The Commissioner may require a certified copy of the original 
foreign application, specification, and drawings upon which it is 
based, a translation if not in the English language, and such other 
information as the Commissioner considers necessary. Any such 
certification shall be made by the foreign intellectual property 
authority in which the foreign application was filed and show the date 
of the application and of the filing of the specification and other 
papers.''.
    (b) In the United States.--Section 120 of title 35, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The Commissioner 
may determine the time period during the pendency of the application 
within which an amendment containing the specific reference to the 
earlier filed application is submitted. The Commissioner may consider 
the failure to submit such an amendment within that time period as a 
waiver of any benefit under this section. The Commissioner may 
establish procedures, including the payment of a surcharge, to accept 
unavoidably late submissions of amendments under this section.''.

SEC. 204. PROVISIONAL RIGHTS.

    Section 154 of title 35, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in the section caption by inserting ``; provisional 
        rights'' after ``patent''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Provisional Rights.--
            ``(1) In general.--In addition to other rights provided by 
        this section, a patent shall include the right to obtain a 
        reasonable royalty from any person who, during the period 
        beginning on the date of publication of the application for 
        such patent pursuant to section 122(b) of this title, or in the 
        case of an international application filed under the treaty 
        defined in section 351(a) of this title designating the United 
        States under Article 21(2)(a) of such treaty, the date of 
        publication of the application, and ending on the date the 
        patent is issued--
                    ``(A)(i) makes, uses, offers for sale, or sells in 
                the United States the invention as claimed in the 
                published patent application or imports such an 
                invention into the United States; or
                    ``(ii) if the invention as claimed in the published 
                patent application is a process, uses, offers for sale, 
                or sells in the United States or imports into the 
                United States products made by that process as claimed 
                in the published patent application; and
                    ``(B) had actual notice of the published patent 
                application, and where the right arising under this 
                paragraph is based upon an international application 
                designating the United States that is published in a 
                language other than English, a translation of the 
                international application into the English language.
            ``(2) Right based on substantially identical inventions.--
        The right under paragraph (1) to obtain a reasonable royalty 
        shall not be available under this subsection unless the 
        invention as claimed in the patent is substantially identical 
        to the invention as claimed in the published patent 
        application.
            ``(3) Time limitation on obtaining a reasonable royalty.--
        The right under paragraph (1) to obtain a reasonable royalty 
        shall be available only in an action brought not later than 6 
        years after the patent is issued. The right under paragraph (1) 
        to obtain a reasonable royalty shall not be affected by the 
        duration of the period described in paragraph (1).
            ``(4) Requirements for international applications.--
                    ``(A) Effective date.--The right under paragraph 
                (1) to obtain a reasonable royalty based upon the 
                publication under the treaty of an international 
                application designating the United States shall 
                commence from the date that the Patent Office receives 
                a copy of the publication under the treaty defined in 
                section 351(a) of this title of the international 
                application, or, if the publication under the treaty of 
                the international application is in a language other 
                than English, from the date that the Patent Office 
                receives a translation of the international application 
                in the English language.
                    ``(B) Copies.--The Commissioner may require the 
                applicant to provide a copy of the international 
                application and a translation thereof.''.

SEC. 205. PRIOR ART EFFECT OF PUBLISHED APPLICATIONS.

    Section 102(e) of title 35, United States Code, is amended to read 
as follows:
    ``(e) the invention was described in--
            ``(1)(A) an application for patent, published pursuant to 
        section 122(b) of this title, by another filed in the United 
        States before the invention by the applicant for patent, except 
        that an international application filed under the treaty 
        defined in section 351(a) of this title shall have the effect 
        under this subsection of a national application published under 
        section 122(b) of this title only if the international 
        application designating the United States was published under 
        Article 21(2)(a) of such treaty in the English language, or
            ``(B) a patent granted on an application for patent by 
        another filed in the United States before the invention by the 
        applicant for patent, or''.

SEC. 206. COST RECOVERY FOR PUBLICATION.

    The Commissioner shall recover the cost of early publication 
required by the amendment made by section 202 by adjusting the filing, 
issue, and maintenance fees under title 35, United States Code, by 
charging a separate publication fee, or by any combination of these 
methods.

SEC. 207. CONFORMING CHANGES.

    The following provisions of title 35, United States Code, are 
amended:
            (1) Section 11 is amended in paragraph 1 of subsection (a) 
        by inserting ``and published applications for patents'' after 
        ``Patents''.
            (2) Section 12 is amended--
                    (A) in the section caption by inserting ``and 
                applications'' after ``patents''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``and published applications for 
                patents'' after ``patents''.
            (3) Section 13 is amended--
                    (A) in the section caption by inserting ``and 
                applications'' after ``patents''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``and published applications for 
                patents'' after ``patents''.
            (4) The items relating to sections 12 and 13 in the table 
        of sections for chapter 1 are each amended by inserting ``and 
        applications'' after ``patents''.
            (5) The item relating to section 122 in the table of 
        sections for chapter 11 is amended by inserting ``; publication 
        of patent applications'' after ``applications''.
            (6) The item relating to section 154 in the table of 
        sections for chapter 14 is amended by inserting ``; provisional 
        rights'' after ``patent''.
            (7) Section 181 is amended--
                    (A) in the first undesignated paragraph--
                            (i) by inserting ``by the publication of an 
                        application or'' after ``disclosure''; and
                            (ii) ``the publication of the application 
                        or'' after ``withhold'';
                    (B) in the second undesignated paragraph by 
                inserting ``by the publication of an application or'' 
                after ``disclosure of an invention'';
                    (C) in the third undesignated paragraph--
                            (i) by inserting ``by the publication of 
                        the application or'' after ``disclosure of the 
                        invention''; and
                            (ii) ``the publication of the application 
                        or'' after ``withhold''; and
                    (D) in the fourth undesignated paragraph by 
                inserting ``the publication of an application or'' 
                after ``and'' in the first sentence.
            (8) Section 252 is amended in the first undesignated 
        paragraph by inserting ``substantially'' before ``identical'' 
        each place it appears.
            (9) Section 284 is amended by adding at the end of the 
        second undesignated paragraph the following: ``Increased 
        damages under this paragraph shall not apply to provisional 
        rights under section 154(d) of this title.''.
            (10) Section 374 is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 374. Publication of international application: Effect
    ``The publication under the treaty, defined in section 351(a) of 
this title, of an international application designating the United 
States shall confer the same rights and shall have the same effect 
under this title as an application for patent published under section 
122(b), except as provided in sections 102(e) and 154(d) of this 
title.''.

SEC. 208. LAST DAY OF PENDENCY OF PROVISIONAL APPLICATION.

    Section 119(e) of title 35, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(3) If the day that is 12 months after the filing date of a 
provisional application falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday 
as defined in rule 6(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the 
period of pendency of the provisional application shall be extended to 
the next succeeding business day.''.

SEC. 209. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) Sections 202 Through 207.--Sections 202 through 207, and the 
amendments made by such sections, shall take effect on April 1, 1998, 
and shall apply to all applications filed under section 111 of title 
35, United States Code, on or after that date, and all applications 
complying with section 371 of title 35, United States Code, that 
resulted from international applications filed on or after that date. 
The amendment made by section 204 shall also apply to international 
applications designating the United States that are filed on or after 
April 1, 1998.
    (b) Section 208.--The amendments made by section 208 shall take 
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and, except for a 
design patent application filed under chapter 16 of title 35, United 
States Code, shall apply to any application filed on or after June 8, 
1995.

                   TITLE III--PATENT TERM RESTORATION

SEC. 301. PATENT TERM EXTENSION AUTHORITY.

    Section 154(b) of title 35, United States Code, is amended to read 
as follows:
    ``(b) Term Extension.--
            ``(1) Basis for patent term extension.--
                    ``(A) Delay.--Subject to the limitations under 
                paragraph (2), if the issue of an original patent is 
                delayed due to--
                            ``(i) a proceeding under section 135(a) of 
                        this title;
                            ``(ii) the imposition of an order pursuant 
                        to section 181 of this title;
                            ``(iii) 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
                            ``(iv) an unusual administrative delay by 
                        the Patent Office in issuing the patent,
                the term of the patent shall be extended for the period 
                of delay.
                    ``(B) Administrative delay.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A)(iv), an unusual administrative delay 
                by the Patent Office is the failure to--
                            ``(i) make a notification of the rejection 
                        of any claim for a patent or any objection or 
                        argument under section 132 of this title or 
                        give or mail a written notice of allowance 
                        under section 151 of this title not later than 
                        14 months after the date on which the 
                        application was filed;
                            ``(ii) respond to a reply under section 132 
                        of this title or to an appeal taken under 
                        section 134 of this title not later than 4 
                        months after the date on which the reply was 
                        filed or the appeal was taken;
                            ``(iii) act on an application not later 
                        than 4 months after the date of a decision by 
                        the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences 
                        under section 134 or 135 of this title or a 
                        decision by a Federal court under section 141, 
                        145, or 146 of this title where allowable 
                        claims remain in an application; or
                            ``(iv) issue a patent not later than 4 
                        months after the date on which the issue fee 
                        was paid under section 151 of this title and 
                        all outstanding requirements were satisfied.
            ``(2) Limitations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The total duration of any 
                extensions granted pursuant to either subclause (iii) 
                or (iv) of paragraph (1)(A) or both such subclauses 
                shall not exceed 10 years. To the extent that periods 
                of delay attributable to grounds specified in paragraph 
                (1) overlap, the period of any extension granted under 
                this subsection shall not exceed the actual number of 
                days the issuance of the patent was delayed.
                    ``(B) Reduction of extension.--The period of 
                extension of the term of a patent under this subsection 
                shall be reduced by a period equal to the time in which 
                the applicant failed to engage in reasonable efforts to 
                conclude prosecution of the application. The 
                Commissioner shall prescribe regulations establishing 
                the circumstances that constitute a failure of an 
                applicant to engage in reasonable efforts to conclude 
                processing or examination of an application.
                    ``(C) Disclaimed term.--No patent the term of which 
                has been disclaimed beyond a specified date may be 
                extended under this section beyond the expiration date 
                specified in the disclaimer.
            ``(3) Procedures.--The Commissioner shall prescribe 
        regulations establishing procedures for the notification of 
        patent term extensions under this subsection and procedures for 
        contesting patent term extensions under this subsection.''.

SEC. 302. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by section 301 shall take effect on the date of 
the enactment of this Act and, except for a design patent application 
filed under chapter 16 of title 35, United States Code, shall apply to 
any application filed on or after June 8, 1995.

                TITLE IV--PRIOR DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL USE

SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Prior Domestic Commercial Use Act 
of 1997''.

SEC. 402. DEFENSE TO PATENT INFRINGEMENT BASED ON PRIOR DOMESTIC 
              COMMERCIAL USE.

    (a) Defense.--Chapter 28 of title 35, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 273. Prior domestic commercial use; defense to infringement
    ``(a) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) the terms `commercially used', `commercially use', 
        and `commercial use' mean the use in the United States in 
        commerce or the use in the design, testing, or production in 
        the United States of a product or service which is used in 
        commerce, whether or not the subject matter at issue is 
        accessible to or otherwise known to the public;
            ``(2) the terms `used in commerce', and `use in commerce' 
        mean that there has been an actual sale or other commercial 
        transfer of the subject matter at issue or that there has been 
        an actual sale or other commercial transfer of a product or 
        service resulting from the use of the subject matter at issue; 
        and
            ``(3) the `effective filing date' of a patent is the 
        earlier of the actual filing date of the application for the 
        patent or the filing date of any earlier United States, 
        foreign, or international application to which the subject 
        matter at issue is entitled under section 119, 120, or 365 of 
        this title.
    ``(b) Defense to Infringement.--
            ``(1) In general.--A person shall not be liable as an 
        infringer under section 271 of this title with respect to any 
        subject matter that would otherwise infringe one or more claims 
        in the patent being asserted against such person, if such 
        person had, acting in good faith, commercially used the subject 
        matter before the effective filing date of such patent.
            ``(2) Exhaustion of right.--The sale or other disposition 
        of the subject matter of a patent by a person entitled to 
        assert a defense under this section with respect to that 
        subject matter shall exhaust the patent owner's rights under 
        the patent to the extent such rights would have been exhausted 
        had such sale or other disposition been made by the patent 
        owner.
    ``(c) Limitations and Qualifications of Defense.--The defense to 
infringement under this section is subject to the following:
            ``(1) Derivation.--A person may not assert the defense 
        under this section if the subject matter on which the defense 
        is based was derived from the patentee or persons in privity 
        with the patentee.
            ``(2) Not a general license.--The defense asserted by a 
        person under this section is not a general license under all 
        claims of the patent at issue, but extends only to the subject 
        matter claimed in the patent with respect to which the person 
        can assert a defense under this chapter, except that the 
        defense shall also extend to variations in the quantity or 
        volume of use of the claimed subject matter, and to 
        improvements in the claimed subject matter that do not infringe 
        additional specifically claimed subject matter of the patent.
            ``(3) Effective and serious preparation.--With respect to 
        subject matter that cannot be commercialized without a 
        significant investment of time, money, and effort, a person 
        shall be deemed to have commercially used the subject matter 
        if--
                    ``(A) before the effective filing date of the 
                patent, the person reduced the subject matter to 
                practice in the United States, completed a significant 
                portion of the total investment necessary to 
                commercially use the subject matter, and made a 
                commercial transaction in the United States in 
                connection with the preparation to use the subject 
                matter; and
                    ``(B) thereafter the person diligently completed 
                the remainder of the activities and investments 
                necessary to commercially use the subject matter, and 
                promptly began commercial use of the subject matter, 
                even if such activities were conducted after the 
                effective filing date of the patent.
            ``(4) Burden of proof.--A person asserting the defense 
        under this section shall have the burden of establishing the 
        defense.
            ``(5) Abandonment of use.--A person who has abandoned 
        commercial use of subject matter may not rely on activities 
        performed before the date of such abandonment in establishing a 
        defense under subsection (b) with respect to actions taken 
        after the date of such abandonment.
            ``(6) Personal defense.--The defense under this section may 
        only be asserted by the person who performed the acts necessary 
        to establish the defense and, except for any transfer to the 
        patent owner, the right to assert the defense shall not be 
        licensed or assigned or transferred to another person except in 
        connection with the good faith assignment or transfer of the 
        entire enterprise or line of business to which the defense 
        relates.
            ``(7) One-year limitation.--A person may not assert a 
        defense under this section unless the subject matter on which 
        the defense is based had been commercially used or reduced to 
        practice more than one year prior to the effective filing date 
        of the patent by the person asserting the defense or someone in 
        privity with that person.
    ``(d) Unsuccessful Assertion of Defense.--If the defense under this 
section is pleaded by a person who is found to infringe the patent and 
who subsequently fails to demonstrate a reasonable basis for asserting 
the defense, the court shall find the case exceptional for the purpose 
of awarding attorney's fees under section 285 of this title.
    ``(e) Invalidity.--A patent shall not be deemed to be invalid under 
section 102 or 103 of this title solely because a defense is 
established under this section.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning 
of chapter 28 of title 35, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new item:

``Sec. 273. Prior domestic commercial use; defense to infringement.''.

SEC. 403. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICABILITY.

    This title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect 
on the date of the enactment of this Act, but shall not apply to any 
action for infringement that is pending on such date of enactment or 
with respect to any subject matter for which an adjudication of 
infringement, including a consent judgment, has been made before such 
date of enactment.

                  TITLE V--PATENT REEXAMINATION REFORM

SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Patent Reexamination Reform Act of 
1997''.

SEC. 502. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 100 of title 35, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) The term `third-party requester' means a person requesting 
reexamination under section 302 of this title who is not the patent 
owner.''.

SEC. 503. REEXAMINATION PROCEDURES.

    (a) Request for Reexamination.--Section 302 of title 35, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 302. Request for reexamination
    ``(a) In General.--Any person at any time may file a request for 
reexamination by the Office of a patent on the basis of any prior art 
cited under the provisions of section 301 of this title or on the basis 
of the requirements of section 112 of this title except for the 
requirement to set forth the best mode of carrying out the invention.
    ``(b) Requirements.--The request shall--
            ``(1) be in writing, include the identity of the real party 
        in interest, and be accompanied by payment of a reexamination 
        fee established by the Commissioner of Patents pursuant to the 
        provisions of section 41 of this title; and
            ``(2) set forth the pertinency and manner of applying cited 
        prior art to every claim for which reexamination is requested 
        or the manner in which the patent specification or claims fail 
        to comply with the requirements of section 112 of this title.
    ``(c) Copy.--Unless the requesting person is the owner of the 
patent, the Commissioner promptly shall send a copy of the request to 
the owner of record of the patent.''.
    (b) Determination of Issue by Commissioner.--Section 303 of title 
35, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 303. Determination of issue by Commissioner
    ``(a) Reexamination.--Not later than 3 months after the filing of a 
request for reexamination under the provisions of section 302 of this 
title, the Commissioner shall determine whether a substantial new 
question of patentability affecting any claim of the patent concerned 
is raised by the request, with or without consideration of other 
patents or printed publications. On the Commissioner's initiative, and 
any time, the Commissioner may determine whether a substantial new 
question of patentability is raised by patents and publications or by 
the failure of the patent specification or claims to comply with the 
requirements of section 112 of this title except for the best mode 
requirement described in section 302.
    ``(b) Record.--A record of the Commissioner's determination under 
subsection (a) shall be placed in the official file of the patent, and 
a copy shall be promptly given or mailed to the owner of record of the 
patent and to the third-party requester, if any.
    ``(c) Final Decision.--A determination by the Commissioner pursuant 
to subsection (a) shall be final and nonappealable. Upon a 
determination that no substantial new question of patentability has 
been raised, the Commissioner may refund a portion of the reexamination 
fee required under section 302 of this title.''.
    (c) Reexamination Order by Commissioner.--Section 304 of title 35, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 304. Reexamination order by Commissioner
    ``If, in a determination made under the provisions of section 
303(a) of this title, the Commissioner finds that a substantial new 
question of patentability affecting a claim of a patent is raised, the 
determination shall include an order for reexamination of the patent 
for resolution of the question. The order may be accompanied by the 
initial action of the Patent Office on the merits of the reexamination 
conducted in accordance with section 305 of this title.''.
    (d) Conduct of Reexamination Proceedings.--Section 305 of title 35, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 305. Conduct of reexamination proceedings
    ``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), reexamination shall 
be conducted according to the procedures established for initial 
examination under the provisions of sections 132 and 133 of this title. 
In any reexamination proceeding under this chapter, the patent owner 
shall be permitted to propose any amendment to the patent and a new 
claim or claims, except that no proposed amended or new claim enlarging 
the scope of the claims of the patent shall be permitted.
    ``(b) Response.--(1) This subsection shall apply to any 
reexamination proceeding in which the order for reexamination is based 
upon a request by a third-party requester.
    ``(2) With the exception of the reexamination request, any document 
filed by either the patent owner or the third-party requester shall be 
served on the other party.
    ``(3) If the patent owner files a response to any Patent Office 
action on the merits, the third-party requester shall have 1 
opportunity to file written comments within a reasonable period not 
less than 1 month after the date of service of the patent owner's 
response. Written comments provided under this paragraph shall be 
limited to issues covered by the Patent Office action or the patent 
owner's response.
    ``(c) Special Dispatch.--Unless otherwise provided by the 
Commissioner for good cause, all reexamination proceedings under this 
section, including any appeal to the Board of Patent Appeals and 
Interferences, shall be conducted with special dispatch within the 
Office.''.
    (e) Appeal.--Section 306 of title 35, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 306. Appeal
    ``(a) Patent Owner.--The patent owner involved in a reexamination 
proceeding under this chapter--
            ``(1) may appeal under the provisions of section 134 of 
        this title, and may appeal under the provisions of sections 141 
        through 144 of this title, with respect to any decision adverse 
        to the patentability of any original or proposed amended or new 
        claim of the patent, and
            ``(2) may be a party to any appeal taken by a third-party 
        requester pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
    ``(b) Third-Party Requester.--A third-party requester may--
            ``(1) appeal under the provisions of section 134 of this 
        title, and may appeal under the provisions of sections 141 
        through 144 of this title, with respect to any final decision 
        favorable to the patentability of any original or proposed 
        amended or new claim of the patent; or
            ``(2) be a party to any appeal taken by the patent owner, 
        subject to subsection (c) of this section.
    ``(c) Participation as Party.--
            ``(1) In general.--A third-party requester who, under the 
        provisions of sections 141 through 144 of this title, files a 
        notice of appeal or who participates as a party to an appeal by 
        the patent owner is estopped from asserting at a later time, in 
        any forum, the invalidity of any claim determined to be 
        patentable on appeal on any ground which the third-party 
        requester raised or could have raised during the reexamination 
        proceedings.
            ``(2) Election to participate.--A third-party requester is 
        deemed not to have participated as a party to an appeal by the 
        patent owner unless, not later than 20 days after the patent 
        owner has filed notice of appeal, the third-party requester 
        files notice with the Commissioner electing to participate.''.
    (f) Reexamination Prohibited.--
            ``(1) In general.--Chapter 30 of title 35, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        section:
``Sec. 308. Reexamination prohibited
    ``(a) Order for Reexamination.--Notwithstanding any provision of 
this chapter, once an order for reexamination of a patent has been 
issued under section 304 of this title, neither the patent owner nor 
the third-party requester, if any, nor privies of either, may file a 
subsequent request for reexamination of the patent until a 
reexamination certificate is issued and published under section 307 of 
this title, unless authorized by the Commissioner.
    ``(b) Final Decision.--Once a final decision has been entered 
against a party in a civil action arising in whole or in part under 
section 1338 of title 28 that the party has not sustained its burden of 
proving the invalidity of any patent claim in suit, then neither that 
party nor its privies may thereafter request reexamination of any such 
patent claim on the basis of issues which that party or its privies 
raised or could have raised in such civil action, and a reexamination 
requested by that party or its privies on the basis of such issues may 
not thereafter be maintained by the Office, notwithstanding any other 
provision of this chapter.''.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of 
        sections for chapter 30 of title 35, United States Code, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following:

``308. Reexamination prohibited.''.

SEC. 504. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Patent Fees; Patent Search Systems.--Section 41(a)(7) of title 
35, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
            ``(7) On filing each petition for the revival of an 
        unintentionally abandoned application for a patent, for the 
        unintentionally delayed payment of the fee for issuing each 
        patent, or for an unintentionally delayed response by the 
        patent owner in a reexamination proceeding, $1,250, unless the 
        petition is filed under sections 133 or 151 of this title, in 
        which case the fee shall be $110.''.
    (b) Appeal to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.--
Section 134 of title 35, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows:
``Sec. 134. Appeal to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences
    ``(a) Patent Applicant.--An applicant for a patent, any of whose 
claims has been twice rejected, may appeal from the decision of the 
primary examiner to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, 
having once paid the fee for such appeal.
    ``(b) Patent Owner.--A patent owner in a reexamination proceeding 
may appeal from the final rejection of any claim by the primary 
examiner to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, having once 
paid the fee for such appeal.
    ``(c) Third-Party.--A third-party requester may appeal to the Board 
of Patent Appeals and Interferences from the final decision of the 
primary examiner favorable to the patentability of any original or 
proposed amended or new claim of a patent, having once paid the fee for 
such appeal.''.
    (d) Appeal to Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.--Section 
141 of title 35, United States Code, is amended by amending the first 
sentence to read as follows: ``An applicant, a patent owner, or a 
third-party requester, dissatisfied with the final decision in an 
appeal to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences under section 
134 of this title, may appeal the decision to the United States Court 
of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.''.
    (e) Proceedings on Appeal.--Section 143 of title 35, United States 
Code, is amended by amending the third sentence to read as follows: 
``In ex parte and reexamination cases, the Commissioner shall submit to 
the court in writing the grounds for the decision of the Patent Office, 
addressing all the issues involved in the appeal.''.
    (f) Civil Action To Obtain Patent.--Section 145 of title 35, United 
States Code, is amended in the first sentence by inserting ``(a)'' 
after ``section 134''.

SEC. 505. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect 
on the date that is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act and shall apply to all reexamination requests filed on or after 
such date.

               TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS PATENT PROVISIONS

SEC. 601. PROVISIONAL APPLICATIONS.

    (a) Abandonment.--Section 111(b)(5) of title 35, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
            ``(5) Abandonment.--Notwithstanding the absence of a claim, 
        upon timely request and as prescribed by the Commissioner, a 
        provisional application may be treated as an application filed 
        under subsection (a). If no such request is made, the 
        provisional application shall be regarded as abandoned 12 
        months after the filing date of such application and shall not 
        be subject to revival thereafter.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) apply to 
a provisional application filed on or after June 8, 1995.

SEC. 602. INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS.

    Section 119 of title 35, United States Code, is amended as follows:
            (1) In subsection (a), insert ``or in a WTO member 
        country'' after ``or to citizens of the United States,''.
            (2) At the end of section 119 add the following new 
        subsections:
    ``(f) Applications for plant breeder's rights filed in a WTO member 
country (or in a foreign UPOV Contracting Party) shall have the same 
effect for the purpose of the right of priority under subsections (a) 
through (c) of this section as applications for patents, subject to the 
same conditions and requirements of this section as apply to 
applications for patents.
    ``(g) As used in this section--
            ``(1) the term `WTO member country' has the same meaning as 
        the term is defined in section 104(b)(2) of this title; and
            ``(2) the term `UPOV Contracting Party' means a member of 
        the International Convention for the Protection of New 
        Varieties of Plants.''.

SEC. 603. PLANT PATENTS.

    (a) Tuber Propagated Plants.--Section 161 of title 35, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``a tuber propagated plant or''.
    (b) Rights in Plant Patents.--The text of section 163 of title 35, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``In the case of a 
plant patent, the grant to the patentee, such patentee's heirs or 
assigns, shall have the right to exclude others from asexually 
reproducing the plant, and from using, offering for sale, or selling 
the plant so reproduced, or any of its parts, throughout the United 
States, or from importing the plant so reproduced, or any parts 
thereof, into the United States.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments by subsection (a) shall apply 
on the date of enactment of this Act. The amendments made by subsection 
(b) shall apply to any plant patent issued on or after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 604. ELECTRONIC FILING.

    Section 22 of title 35, United States Code, is amended by striking 
``printed or typewritten'' and inserting ``printed, typewritten, or on 
an electronic medium'' .

                                 <all>