Senator Hatch forecasts a cautious (and slow?) approach to patent reform in the Senate

As everyone watches the Patent Act of 2005 (H.R. 2795) in the House, the Senate has yet to see any proposed legislation.  Senator Hatch, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, has held two oversight hearings on the matter but has yet to introduce a bill or even a proposed draft.

The Senate’s approach to patent reform is one of the most significant open questions at this time.

In this article from Senator Hatch’s home town newspaper, the Salt Lake Tribune, he alludes to a cautious approach and suggests that enacting reform will take some time, considering the seriousness of the issue:

“The patent system has some serious problems that need to be fixed before they become crises,” Hatch said. “But any reform - and especially something as complex as patents - is going to take time, and we need to make sure to examine all sides before crafting any legislation.”