Rep. Issa introduces a bill that would establish a pilot program for building patent expertise in district court judges

Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) has introduced a bill in the House to “establish a pilot program in certain United States district courts to encourage enhancement of expertise in patent cases among district judges.” Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) is an original co-sponsor on the bill, HR5418.

From the press release: “The core intent of the pilot program is to steer patent cases to judges that have the desire and aptitude to hear patent cases, while preserving the principle of random assignment to help avoid forum shopping. The pilot project will last no longer than 10 years, and periodic studies will occur to determine the pilot project’s success.“

Representative Issa has been somewhat active in the patent oversight hearings thus far, and has shown a good deal of interest in patent policy in general. Good reason - he holds a few patents of his own.

You can view and/or download a .pdf of HR 5418 here.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, which will, in turn, refer it to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

UPDATE: Representative Issa’s office is providing a one-page summary of the bill. View and/or download a .pdf of it here.