Anne Broache, Staff Writer for CNET News.com, (link here) writes that the House Judiciary subcommittee that originates intellectual property laws is cranking up to introduce a patent reform bill. Ideas broached in the piece include enough funding to hire an ample number of examiners and staff; meaningful, low-cost alternatives to litigation, requiring pending patent applications to be made public a certain number of months after being filed so that the public would have a chance to submit prior art; and restrictions on business method patents, a controversial class that grants protection to processes. Based on past experience, the prospects are not great because disagreements among interest groups have prevented real reform.

Those of us committed to intellectual property reform will need to follow this and weigh in with their own representatives and senators the only ones who will listen to individual constituents.