HR 209

[James Love <love@cptech.org>]

Yesterday I sent out 2 messages about HR 209, one that outlined a 
number of areas where the legislation undermined the public's rights
in federally funded inventions, and one that indicated that I had 
made errors in the earlier statement.

We were not watching this legislation, and I had received a call
from a Congressional staffer right before it was approved by
a voice vote, and I was trying to pull together some information
about the legislation on very short notice.  We have now
had a bit more time to look at hr 209, and will be  issuing a second 
comment, probably later today or early tomorrow.

The legislation does significantly undermine the public's  rights in 
inventions in several areas, guts public notice requirements for 
exclusive licensing, eliminates current requirements that exclusive 
licensing be limited to cases where it is necessary for development, 
and expands confidentiality of licensing information, including 
information on the amount of royalties paid to the government.   It 
does more too, and we are tyring to better understand a few other
items.  

Yesterday I was told by House staffers that the bill is wired in 
the Senate, and will move quite fast.  Then, 15 minutes ago
I received information that that the Senate Commerce Committee
is holding a hearing on the bill at 3 pm today, so I guess
it is moving right along.


Wed, May 12
3 p.m.
                 Commerce, Science, and Transportation
                 Science, Technology, and Space Subcommittee
                      To hold hearings to examine incentives and 
                      barriers created by the federal government in 
                      bringing new technologies to the marketplace.
                     SR-253

What you can do right now is to ask a member of the US Senate to
slow the process down, by putting a hold on the bill, so it does
not go right to the Senate floor without an opportunity to 
get a Senator to offer amendments.

I'll have a better analysis of the legislation finished soon.

  Jamie


-- 
James Love, Director, Consumer Project on Technology
I can be reached at love@cptech.org, by telephone 202.387.8030,
by fax at 202.234.5176. CPT web page is http://www.cptech.org