S. 3960 · 118th Congress · Senate

A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide a good faith exception to the imposition of fines for false assertions and certifications, and for other purposes.

Enacted· Became Public Law No: 118-151.
Introduced
Mar 14, 24
Passed Senate
Jun 20, 24
Passed House
Dec 3, 24
Sent to President
Dec 6, 24
Signed into Law
Dec 17, 24

Executive Summary

This act creates a good faith exception to certain fines imposed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Currently, the USPTO may reduce patent-related fees for small and micro entities, and an entity that falsely claims a fee reduction shall be subject to a fine. This act exempts an entity from such a fine if the entity made a good faith assertion or certification that the entity was entitled to a fee reduction.

Previous Versions

55Jun 20, 2024

This bill creates a good faith exception to certain fines imposed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Currently, the USPTO may reduce patent-related fees for small and micro entities, and an entity that falsely claims a fee reduction shall be subject to a fine. This bill exempts an entity from such a fine if the entity made a good faith assertion or certification that the entity was entitled to a fee reduction.

00Mar 14, 2024

This bill creates a good faith exception to certain fines imposed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Currently, the USPTO may reduce patent-related fees for small and micro entities, and an entity that falsely claims a fee reduction shall be subject to a fine. This bill exempts an entity from such a fine if the entity made a good faith assertion or certification that the entity was entitled to a fee reduction.

Action Timeline

21
  1. DEC 17, 2024BecameLaw

    Signed by President.

  2. DEC 17, 2024President

    Signed by President.

  3. DEC 17, 2024BecameLaw

    Became Public Law No: 118-151.

    118Yea
    151Nay
    0NV
  4. DEC 17, 2024President

    Became Public Law No: 118-151.

    118Yea
    151Nay
    0NV
  5. DEC 06, 2024President

    Presented to President.

  6. DEC 06, 2024Floor

    Presented to President.

  7. DEC 03, 2024Floor

    Mr

    Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  8. DEC 03, 2024Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H6211-6212)

    6211Yea
    6212Nay
    0NV
  9. DEC 03, 2024Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3960.

  10. DEC 03, 2024Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6211)

  11. DEC 03, 2024Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6211)

  12. DEC 03, 2024Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  13. JUN 21, 2024Floor

    Received in the House.

  14. JUN 21, 2024Floor

    Held at the desk.

  15. JUN 20, 2024Committee

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  16. JUN 20, 2024Discharge

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  17. JUN 20, 2024Floor

    Passed/agreed to in Senate

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4198; text: CR S4198)

  18. JUN 20, 2024Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration

    CR S4198; text: CR S4198)

  19. JUN 20, 2024Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  20. MAR 14, 2024IntroReferral

    Introduced in Senate

  21. MAR 14, 2024IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Committees

2

Judiciary Committee

ssju00

Referred: Jun 20, 2024

Active

Judiciary Committee

ssju00

Referred: Mar 14, 2024

Active