Patent law changes pending

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Changes to the country's patent law are being considered in Congress, but some think they are a bad idea.

The changes would award patents based on who is first to file them. The current rules award the patent to who invented the technology.

The idea is to speed up the patent process that can sometimes take years to complete. Most of the rest of the world currently uses first to file.

But those against the plan say, for starters, it is unconstitutional because the current patent process is laid out in the Constitution.

They also think the changes would make it tougher for small businesses and inventors to get patents for the technology they create. According to Hawaii Tea Party Founder Marc Hodges, that technology is what leads to jobs.

Those against the changes say there are ways to speed up the patent process without changing it to first to file.

Hodges will speak about patent law at a Tea Party rally in Dayton's Courthouse Square Monday night.