From international companies and academics, there has been a desire to have the U.S. conform to international standards, and specifically, to switch from its first-to-invent system to a first-to-file system.[1]  Furthermore, in view of the high costs of litigation, there was pressure from electronics companies to reduce the uncertainties of litigation by clarifying the law in regards to willful infringement and inequitable conduct, eliminating “secret” prior… [read post]