Intellectual Property (IP) laws, including those governing patents, are fundamental to protecting the rights of inventors and encouraging innovation. Over time, U.S. administrations have made various changes to patent law, either through direct legislation, executive actions, or influencing the judicial interpretation of IP statutes. While each administration brings its own priorities, understanding the broader trends in patent law can help us predict how this latest seismic shift with a new Trump leadership could impact patent holders and their ability to safeguard their inventions.  With a likely appointment of Howard Lutnick as Secretary of Commerce, a prolific inventor and patent plaintiff, we are likely to see some changes.

The Role of Government in Patent Law

Patent law, as set out in the U.S. Constitution, aims to promote innovation by granting inventors exclusive rights to their inventions for a limited period. These laws are governed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), but political decisions can significantly influence the enforcement of these laws. Factors such as the selection of patent court judges, the approach to patent litigation, and the influence of trade policies all play a role in shaping the environment for patent holders. As always, we can only hope to predict the future by examining the past, so let's study President Trump's 2017-2021 administration in respect to patent law.

The Trump Administration's Influence on IP and Patents

The first Trump Administration took a notably hands-off approach to patent law in certain areas while also pushing for reforms in others. Here are a few key ways the new Trump policies might impact patent protection:

Patent Litigation Reform

Under the original Trump Administration, there was ongoing concern among patent holders regarding "patent trolls" these are companies or individuals who acquire patents not to produce goods or services, but to extract settlements from legitimate businesses. While the Trump Administration supported policies aimed at curbing abusive patent litigation practices, the push was for reforms that would make it harder for such entities to sue over questionable patents. This could have been beneficial to patent holders seeking to avoid frivolous lawsuits, but also left open questions about how patent holders would be able to protect their IP from other types of infringement.

Innovation and Trade Policy

The Trump Administration's "America First" trade policies influenced how U.S. companies viewed IP rights on a global scale. There was a push to tighten the protection of U.S. patents internationally, particularly in relation to countries like China, which had been criticized for weak IP enforcement. While this benefited patent holders seeking global protection, it also signaled a more aggressive stance on IP, potentially leading to trade disputes or changes in international agreements, such as those under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Changes in Patent Eligibility

In recent years, courts and the USPTO have focused on the issue of patent eligibility, particularly concerning abstract ideas and inventions related to software and business methods. The Trump Administration's influence on the judicial system, including appointments to the Federal Circuit Court, may have swayed patent eligibility standards. For example, the administration supported a judicial philosophy that was more skeptical of granting patents on certain types of software or abstract innovations. This had the potential to restrict patent holders in specific tech industries from securing broad patents on emerging technologies.

USPTO Leadership and Patent Examination

The Trump Administration appointed several key officials to leadership positions within the USPTO, including Director Andrei Iancu, who emphasized the need to enhance patent quality and reduce the backlog of patent applications. While these efforts aimed to streamline patent prosecution, some critics argued that they might result in more stringent patent requirements or difficulties for smaller inventors trying to secure patents. Patent holders needed to be vigilant about any shifts in the examination process that could impact their ability to protect their innovations.

Potential Future Impact

As administrations change, so too can the political environment that surrounds patent law. This new Trump 2.0 administration may reverse some of the Trump-era policies or build upon them.  Having a Secretary of Commerce who understands patents is likely to produce benefits for the patent system as a whole. Given Howard Lutnick's experience in losing patents under the Alice standard, perhaps we will see the Commerce department encourage Congress to move forward on patent reform, including both the PREVAIL and PERA acts.  Time will tell, but this author is cautiously optimistic about the future.

Looking forward, check in often with Ramey LLP for the latest news on reforms both good and bad for patent holders as the break-neck changes of this new Trump-led government commence.  Current patent holders and those seeking patents should continue to monitor changes in IP law and the government's stance on patent enforcement, especially as they pertain to evolving technology and international IP agreements.