Senate Committee Considers Controversial Patent Bills

The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to review two controversial bills, the PREVAIL Act and the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA), that could significantly impact patent laws related to drugs and software. Critics, including patient advocacy groups and the Association for Accessible Medicines, argue these bills favor pharmaceutical companies by complicating the patent challenge process and creating barriers for generic competition, potentially raising drug prices. Meanwhile, proponents of the legislation claim it will streamline patent protections and encourage innovation. Additionally, open-source advocates are mobilizing against the bills, fearing they will empower patent trolls and hinder software development. The Linux Foundation has partnered with Unified Patents to combat frivolous patent litigation. As the debate unfolds, stakeholders are calling for alternative legislation to support lower-cost medicine access.