Bills · 118th Congress · Commerce

A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide a good faith exception to the imposition of fines for false assertions and certifications, and for other purposes.

Where it stands

  1. Introduced3/14/24
  2. Passed SenatePassed 6/20/24
  3. HousePassed 12/3/24
  4. PresidentSigned 12/17/24
  5. LawPublic Law 118-151

Passed the Senate by unanimous consent on June 20, 2024. Passed the House by voice vote on December 3, 2024. Became Public Law 118-151 on December 17, 2024.

Passed by voice vote or unanimous consent — no individual positions were recorded.

Official summary (CRS)

This bill creates a good faith exception to certain fines imposed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Currently, the USPTO may reduce patent-related fees for small and micro entities, and an entity that falsely claims a fee reduction shall be subject to a fine. This bill exempts an entity from such a fine if the entity made a good faith assertion or certification that the entity was entitled to a fee reduction.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Sen. Christopher A. Coons ( Democrat · DE)
Cosponsors
1
Introduced
3/14/24
Policy area
Commerce

What happens next

Became Public Law 118-151.

All actions (17)
  1. 3/14/24Introduced in Senate
  2. 3/14/24Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  3. 6/20/24Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
  4. 6/20/24Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4198; text: CR S4198)
  5. 6/20/24Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4198; text: CR S4198)
  6. 6/20/24Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  7. 6/21/24Received in the House.
  8. 6/21/24Held at the desk.
  9. 12/3/24Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  10. 12/3/24Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6211-6212)
  11. 12/3/24DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3960.
  12. 12/3/24Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6211)
  13. 12/3/24On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6211)
  14. 12/3/24Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  15. 12/6/24Presented to President.
  16. 12/17/24Signed by President.
  17. 12/17/24Became Public Law No: 118-151.