Patent Law Professors Spar in Predicting Impact of America Invents Act on Innovation

Patent law experts F. Scott Kieff, professor at the George Washington University Law School, and John R. Thomas, professor at the Georgetown University School of Law had starkly opposing predictions about the impact of the America Invents Act during a recent one-hour debate in Washington, D.C., sponsored by First Street Research Group.

The two disagreed in particular on how the AIA will affect innovation among small businesses and individuals.

The session was scheduled to coincide with First Street’s publication of “Lobbying The America Invents Act,” a report detailing the lobbying effort underlying the AIA’s passage. The report listed ...