Congress Passes First Significant Patent Reform in 60 Years

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" /> </div> <div class="page"> <div class="pageheader"> <a class="pageheaderlogolink" href="/"> <img class="pageheaderlogo" src="/images/pageheaderlogo.png" alt="Baker Donelson" /></a> <button type="button" class="pageheaderbtn pageheaderbtn-menu noprint" title="Menu"><i class="fa fa-bars base" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa fa-close active" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="pageheaderbtn-label">Menu</span></button> <div class="pagenav noprint"> <div class="pagenav-listbox pagenav-heightfit"> <ul class="pagenav-list-primary"> <li> <a class="pagenav-list-primary__link" href="/professionals" rel="navbios">Professionals<span class="fa fa-angle-right"></span></a> <div class="pagenav-flybox pagenav-heightfit" id="navbios"> <div class="pagenav-fly pagenav-fly-bios"> <div class="sharedform-bd"> <label for="ctlNav_TxtSearchInput" class="sr-only">Name / Keyword</label> <input name="ctl00$mp$ctlNav$TxtSearchInput" type="text" id="ctlNav_TxtSearchInput" class="pagenav-bios-keywords" data-search-field="q" PlaceHolder="Name / Keywords" /> <label for="ctlNav_DDLOffice" class="sr-only">Office</label> <select name="ctl00$mp$ctlNav$DDLOffice" id="ctlNav_DDLOffice" data-search-field="office"> <option value="-1">Office</option> <option value="12869">Atlanta</option> <option value="28693">Baltimore</option> <option value="12874">Baton Rouge</option> <option value="12870">Birmingham</option> <option value="52820">Charleston</option> <option value="56937">Charlotte</option> <option value="12867">Chattanooga</option> <option value="19612">Columbia</option> <option value="54690">Dallas</option> <option value="28542">Falls Church</option> <option value="12855">Fort Lauderdale</option> <option value="12872">Houston</option> <option value="12866">Jackson</option> <option value="12857">Johnson City (Tri-Cities)</option> <option value="12865">Knoxville</option> <option value="12863">Macon</option> <option value="12862">Mandeville</option> <option value="12860">Memphis</option> <option value="12861">Memphis (East)</option> <option value="12859">Nashville</option> <option value="12858">New Orleans</option> <option value="12868">Orlando</option> <option value="49553">Raleigh/Research Triangle</option> <option value="58774">The Connective (Virtual Office)</option> <option value="12856">Washington, D.C.</option> </select> <label for="ctlNav_DDLPractice" class="sr-only">Practice</label> <select name="ctl00$mp$ctlNav$DDLPractice" id="ctlNav_DDLPractice" data-search-field="practice"> <option value="-1">Practice</option> <option value="37155">340B Drug Pricing Program</option> <option value="48497">Academic Medical Centers</option> <option value="34602">Adjustment of Status</option> <option value="12973">Admiralty and Maritime</option> <option value="20572">Advice and Counsel</option> <option value="32299">Affordable Housing </option> <option value="45051">Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) </option> <option value="16605">Ambulatory Surgery Centers</option> <option value="16608">Antitrust – Health Care</option> <option value="12972">Antitrust and Competition Law</option> <option value="16564">Appellate Practice</option> <option value="16676">Appropriations</option> <option value="54813">Artificial Intelligence</option> <option value="16656">Asset Based Finance</option> <option value="16619">Audits</option> <option value="16655">Automotive</option> <option value="16665">Automotive Finance</option> <option value="20360">Aviation</option> <option value="38018">Baker Women</option> <option value="16646">Bankruptcy and Commercial Restructuring</option> <option value="40468">Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorders</option> <option value="56426">Biometrics</option> <option value="16623">Biotechnology, Chemical and Pharmaceuticals</option> <option value="51858">Blockchain and Digital Assets Technology</option> <option value="12969">Broker-Dealer/Investment Adviser</option> <option value="12942">Business and Corporate</option> <option value="16578">Business Succession Planning</option> <option value="16679">Cannabis Law and Regulation</option> <option value="16675">Capital Raising Services</option> <option value="16559">Class & Collective Actions</option> <option value="16541">Clinical Integration, Accountable Care Organizations and Value-Based Payments</option> <option value="16531">CMBS Special Servicers</option> <option value="16568">Commercial and Retail Insolvency</option> <option value="33052">Commercial Finance</option> <option value="16557">Commercial/Business Litigation</option> <option value="16622">Compliance Counseling</option> <option value="16587">Condominium Practice</option> <option value="12963">Construction</option> <option value="16563">Construction (Cross-Border Business)</option> <option value="58723">Construction Disaster Relief</option> <option value="12976">Consumer Lending</option> <option value="16647">Copyright Litigation</option> <option value="30343">Copyright, Media and Entertainment</option> <option value="32199">Corporate and Regulatory</option> <option value="16624">Corporate Finance</option> <option value="16574">Corporate Formations, Acquisitions and Other Business Transactions</option> <option value="20359">Corporate Governance</option> <option value="16668">Corporate Services</option> <option value="56496">Corporate Transparency Act</option> <option value="16590">Cosmetics</option> <option value="12949">Cross-Border Business</option> <option value="29937">Cross-Border Business Team: Austria, Germany and Switzerland</option> <option value="20350">Cross-Border Business Team: China</option> <option value="35103">Cross-Border Business Team: Italy</option> <option value="43318">Cross-Border Business Team: Japan</option> <option value="47496">Data Incident Response</option> <option value="16632">Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity</option> <option value="47607">Data Protection: Financial Services</option> <option value="47567">Data Protection: Payment Card Industry Security</option> <option value="16536">Dialysis Centers</option> <option value="52839">Digital Health</option> <option value="16555">Directors and Officers Litigation</option> <option value="12945">Disaster Recovery and Government Services</option> <option value="38082">Diversity & Inclusion</option> <option value="16553">Drug, Device and Life Sciences</option> <option value="29012">Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies </option> <option value="16653">Economic Development</option> <option value="16570">Economic Development – Inbound/Real Estate</option> <option value="16671">eDiscovery, Document Review and Investigation Services</option> <option value="51976">Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure</option> <option value="12957">Emerging Companies</option> <option value="12962">Eminent Domain</option> <option value="16585">Employee Benefits and ERISA Litigation</option> <option value="12961">Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation</option> <option value="16616">EMTALA</option> <option value="16618">Energy and Petroleum</option> <option value="16643">Energy Default and Restructure</option> <option value="16569">Energy Finance</option> <option value="16542">Environment and Energy</option> <option value="50954">Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)</option> <option value="12925">Environmental, Sustainability, and Product Stewardship</option> <option value="16610">Equipment Leasing and Finance</option> <option value="16615">Exempt Organizations – Health Care</option> <option value="16649">Exempt Organizations and Nonprofits</option> <option value="12974">FDA Regulatory and Compliance</option> <option value="12954">Federal Aerospace and Defense Policy</option> <option value="52690">Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)</option> <option value="12979">Financial Services</option> <option value="39022">Financial Services Class Actions</option> <option value="16644">Financial Services Litigation</option> <option value="16597">Financing Long Term Care Facilities</option> <option value="48131">Food Safety & Regulation</option> <option value="51168">Franchise and Distribution</option> <option value="16588">Franchising – Health Care</option> <option value="35243">Fraud and Abuse Counseling</option> <option value="35110">GDPR</option> <option value="12986">Government Contracts</option> <option value="16562">Government Contracts (Cross-Border Business)</option> <option value="12958">Government Enforcement and Investigations</option> <option value="12950">Government Relations and Public Policy</option> <option value="16530">Health Care Bankruptcy and Distress</option> <option value="55084">Health Care Discrimination Litigation and Compliance</option> <option value="16678">Health Care Enforcement Actions and Investigations</option> <option value="16540">Health Care Policy</option> <option value="58982">Health Care Regulatory</option> <option value="59073">Health Care Transactions</option> <option value="16620">Health Information Technology</option> <option value="28292">Health Law</option> <option value="16607">Health Systems/Hospitals</option> <option value="16606">HIPAA</option> <option value="29013">Home Health and Hospice Organizations</option> <option value="51167">Hospitality</option> <option value="56875">Hospital-Owned SNFs and Hospital-Affiliated SNFs</option> <option value="16601">HUD-Insured Financing</option> <option value="31637">Immigration</option> <option value="16561">Immigration (Cross-Border Business)</option> <option value="16681">Infrastructure and Surface Transportation</option> <option value="12966">Insurance Regulatory</option> <option value="12953">Intellectual Property</option> <option value="16565">Intellectual Property (Cross-Border Business)</option> <option value="12927">Intellectual Property and Technology Litigation</option> <option value="16576">International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution</option> <option 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and Acquisition Financial Services</option> <option value="12967">Mergers and Acquisitions</option> <option value="16662">Motor Carrier</option> <option value="45078">Neutrals</option> <option value="16579">OFCCP/Affirmative Action Plans</option> <option value="16672">Office Developments</option> <option value="12977">Oil and Gas</option> <option value="57835">Organ Donation and Transplant</option> <option value="16573">OSHA</option> <option value="16595">OTC and Prescription Pharmaceuticals</option> <option value="16650">Patent Litigation</option> <option value="16642">Patent Post Grant Proceedings</option> <option value="12980">Patent Prosecution</option> <option value="29014">Pharmacies</option> <option value="16592">Physicians Organizations Regulatory Issues</option> <option value="16572">Policies and Training</option> <option value="16666">Premises Liability</option> <option value="12941">Private Equity</option> <option value="12981">Pro Bono</option> <option value="16549">Product Liability, Class Action and Mass Tort</option> <option value="16548">Professional Liability</option> <option value="12932">Public Finance</option> <option value="16545">Public Hospitals and Health Systems</option> <option value="38950">Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund Investments</option> <option value="16635">Railroad</option> <option value="12935">Real Estate</option> <option value="16637">Real Estate Finance</option> <option value="16534">Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)</option> <option value="44444">Real Estate Litigation</option> <option value="16657">Reductions in Force</option> <option value="16669">Regulatory and Compliance Services</option> <option value="16591">Reimbursement</option> <option value="12968">Residential Mortgage Lending and Servicing</option> <option value="16677">Restrictive Covenants</option> <option value="16673">Retail and Mixed Use</option> <option value="12964">Securities</option> <option value="12947">Securities Litigation</option> <option value="16603">Seniors Housing and Long Term Care</option> <option value="55970">Space</option> <option value="58107">Special Section: <em>Chevron</em> Doctrine</option> <option value="16544">Specialty Pharmacies and Pharmaceuticals</option> <option value="16661">State and Local Tax</option> <option value="12934">State Public Policy Advocacy</option> <option value="12936">Tax</option> <option value="16558">Tax (Cross-Border Business)</option> <option value="35851">Tax Controversy </option> <option value="39033">TCPA</option> <option value="12970">Technology</option> <option value="12926">Telecommunications</option> <option value="30998">Telehealth</option> <option value="12928">The Daschle Group</option> <option value="12971">The Howard Baker Forum</option> <option value="16641">Trade Secret Litigation</option> <option value="16609">Trademark and Branding</option> <option value="16645">Trademark and Unfair Competition Litigation</option> <option value="12937">Transportation and 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class="sr-only">Practice</label> <select name="ctl00$mp$ctlNav$DDLPracticeExp" id="ctlNav_DDLPracticeExp" data-search-field="practice"> <option value="-1">Practice</option> <option value="37155">340B Drug Pricing Program</option> <option value="48497">Academic Medical Centers</option> <option value="34602">Adjustment of Status</option> <option value="12973">Admiralty and Maritime</option> <option value="20572">Advice and Counsel</option> <option value="32299">Affordable Housing </option> <option value="45051">Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) </option> <option value="16605">Ambulatory Surgery Centers</option> <option value="16608">Antitrust – Health Care</option> <option value="12972">Antitrust and Competition Law</option> <option value="16564">Appellate Practice</option> <option value="16676">Appropriations</option> <option value="54813">Artificial Intelligence</option> <option value="16656">Asset Based Finance</option> <option value="16619">Audits</option> <option 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Sciences</option> <option value="29012">Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies </option> <option value="16653">Economic Development</option> <option value="16570">Economic Development – Inbound/Real Estate</option> <option value="16671">eDiscovery, Document Review and Investigation Services</option> <option value="51976">Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure</option> <option value="12957">Emerging Companies</option> <option value="12962">Eminent Domain</option> <option value="16585">Employee Benefits and ERISA Litigation</option> <option value="12961">Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation</option> <option value="16616">EMTALA</option> <option value="16618">Energy and Petroleum</option> <option value="16643">Energy Default and Restructure</option> <option value="16569">Energy Finance</option> <option value="16542">Environment and Energy</option> <option value="50954">Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)</option> <option value="12925">Environmental, Sustainability, and Product Stewardship</option> <option value="16610">Equipment Leasing and Finance</option> <option value="16615">Exempt Organizations – Health Care</option> <option value="16649">Exempt Organizations and Nonprofits</option> <option value="12974">FDA Regulatory and Compliance</option> <option value="12954">Federal Aerospace and Defense Policy</option> <option value="52690">Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)</option> <option value="12979">Financial Services</option> <option value="39022">Financial Services Class Actions</option> <option value="16644">Financial Services Litigation</option> <option value="16597">Financing Long Term Care Facilities</option> <option value="48131">Food Safety & Regulation</option> <option value="51168">Franchise and Distribution</option> <option value="16588">Franchising – Health Care</option> <option value="35243">Fraud and Abuse Counseling</option> <option value="35110">GDPR</option> <option value="12986">Government Contracts</option> <option value="16562">Government Contracts (Cross-Border Business)</option> <option value="12958">Government Enforcement and Investigations</option> <option value="12950">Government Relations and Public Policy</option> <option value="16530">Health Care Bankruptcy and Distress</option> <option value="55084">Health Care Discrimination Litigation and Compliance</option> <option value="16678">Health Care Enforcement Actions and Investigations</option> <option value="16540">Health Care Policy</option> <option value="58982">Health Care Regulatory</option> <option value="59073">Health Care Transactions</option> <option value="16620">Health Information Technology</option> <option value="28292">Health Law</option> <option value="16607">Health Systems/Hospitals</option> <option value="16606">HIPAA</option> <option value="29013">Home Health and Hospice Organizations</option> <option value="51167">Hospitality</option> <option value="56875">Hospital-Owned SNFs and Hospital-Affiliated SNFs</option> <option value="16601">HUD-Insured Financing</option> <option value="31637">Immigration</option> <option value="16561">Immigration (Cross-Border Business)</option> <option value="16681">Infrastructure and Surface Transportation</option> <option value="12966">Insurance Regulatory</option> <option value="12953">Intellectual Property</option> <option value="16565">Intellectual Property (Cross-Border Business)</option> <option value="12927">Intellectual Property and Technology Litigation</option> <option value="16576">International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution</option> <option value="16633">International Trade and National Security</option> <option value="12951">Labor & Employment</option> <option value="16660">Labor & Employment – Health Care</option> <option value="16550">Labor & Employment Litigation</option> <option value="16580">Labor Law</option> <option value="16680">Land Conservation and Real Estate</option> <option value="12944">Legal Project 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class="breadcrumb-wrapper"> <div class="breadcrumb-navigation"> <ul class="breadcrumb-list "> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><i class='fa fa-angle-right' aria-hidden="true"></i><a href=/publications>Publications</a></li><li><i class='fa fa-angle-right' aria-hidden="true"></i>Congress Passes First Significant Patent Reform in 60 Years</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="pagestrip pagestrip-darkbg pagestrip-article-type" data-lazybg="/images/corepage/114104_image4.jpg"> <div class="sg-pagewidth"> <div class="pagestrip-section"><i class="ci-48" aria-hidden="true"><svg class="ci-icon" role='img' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' aria-hidden="true"><use xlink:href="#ci-shape-publications" xmlns:xlink='http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink'></use></svg></i><span>Publications</span></div> <h1 class="pagestrip-title">Congress Passes First Significant Patent Reform in 60 Years</h1> <div class='pagestrip-article-date'>September 13, 2011</div> <div class="sharedsocialbar noprint"> 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class="sg-col-lg-8"> <div class="pagebodycol-main"> <div class="wb-content"> <P>After several years of discussions about reforming the patent system in the U.S., Congress has passed the <EM>America Invents Act</EM>, which President Obama has stated he will sign. The Act is considered the most significant reform in U.S. patent law in the last 60 years. </P> <P>The legislation has several components. Significant reforms include the following: </P> <P><STRONG><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">First-to-File.</SPAN></STRONG> The U.S. joins the rest of the world in adopting a first-to-file patent system. Adoption will be delayed for 18 months after the Act becomes law to allow two studies on prior user rights and the impact of the new system on small businesses to be completed. The first-to-file system is expected to go into effect in February 2013. </P> <P><STRONG><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Prior Art Redefined.</SPAN></STRONG> To go along with the first-to-file system, only disclosures made by an inventor (or on his or her behalf) will get the benefit of the one-year grace period under current law. The one-year grace period for sales, offers to sell, or public use of the invention is eliminated. The prior art sale/offer to sell bar has been expanded to include sales and offers anywhere in the world, not just in the U.S. Further, all patents or published patent applications will now be considered prior art as of the filing date of the first application filed anywhere in the world to which priority is claimed. </P> <P><STRONG><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Additional Review.</SPAN></STRONG> The Act provides for three new procedures for reviewing a patent after it issues. A <EM>Post Grant Review </EM>allows a third party to challenge the validity of a patent on any statutory grounds within nine months of issuance. <EM>Inter Partes Review </EM>takes the place of the current Inter Partes Reexamination process, but with changes to the standard for granting review and the reviewing entity. <EM>Supplemental Examination </EM>allows the patent owner or assignee the chance to open the issued patent for additional examination to address issues that raise a substantial new question of patentability. </P> <P><STRONG><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Prior Commercial Use Defense.</SPAN></STRONG> The prior commercial use defense in patent litigation, which has been limited to business methods, is being expanded to include other categories of patentable subject matter. The entities covered also have been expanded to include affiliated entities or companies. Commercial use of technology by a university does not qualify for the defense, however, where the prior use was in a laboratory for research. </P> <P><STRONG><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Tax Strategy Patents.</SPAN></STRONG> Strategies for reducing, avoiding or deferring tax liability now are effectively unpatentable, with two exceptions for inventions relating solely to the preparation of tax returns, or relating to financial management. </P> <P><STRONG><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">False Marking Suits.</SPAN></STRONG> The Act eliminates <EM>qui tam </EM>cases based on false marking. A third party can only bring a false marking action where it has suffered actual economic harm from the false marking, and damages then are limited to the economic harm. Further, a product marked with an expired patent number that covered the product at one time is no longer considered to be false marking. </P> <P>A more detailed analysis of the <EM>America Invents Act </EM>is listed below. If you have any questions or want to discuss how the Act will impact your IP strategy, contact your Baker Donelson attorney or one of our <A href="http://www.bakerdonelson.com/practices/servicedetail.aspx?service=f542b37e-085a-43d5-89d8-5313614ef6b8&view=pros">Intellectual Property attorneys</A> or <A href="http://www.bakerdonelson.com/practices/servicedetail.aspx?service=611488d3-b611-4195-b8d7-29899356e385&view=pros">Business Technology attorneys</A>. </P> <P align=center><STRONG>DETAILED SUMMARY </STRONG></P> <P>On September 8, 2011, the United States Senate passed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Patent Reform Act by a vote of 89 to 9. President Obama is expected to sign this Patent Reform Act into law in the next week or so. Although many provisions of the law will not take effect for at least one year after the date of enactment, there are several key provisions that will have an immediate impact on patent practitioners. </P> <P align=center><STRONG><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Immediate Considerations</SPAN> </STRONG></P> <P><STRONG>Reexamination</STRONG> – The standard for reexamination filed after the date of enactment will change from "a substantial new question of patentability" to "a reasonable likelihood that the requestor would prevail" regarding at least one of the challenged claims. Also, Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences ("Board") decisions in ex parte reexamination proceedings will now be appealed only to the Federal Circuit for any reexaminations pending at the date of enactment. </P> <P><STRONG>False-Marking</STRONG> – Effectively immediately and also applicable to new actions, changes to 35 USC § 292 will effectively eliminate <EM>qui tam </EM>actions for false marking suits. The new law also provides that marking with an expired patent is not a violation of the statute. This means that virtually all pending false marking suits will need to be dismissed once the law is enacted. </P> <P><STRONG>Best Mode </STRONG>– Effective immediately and applicable to new actions, the "best mode" requirement will no longer be a basis for invalidating a patent. However, the PTO may still require disclosure during prosecution. </P> <P><STRONG>USPTO Fees</STRONG> – Effective ten days from enactment, a 15 percent surcharge will be added to all patent-related fees, including patent maintenance fees. The USPTO also is authorized to proceed with its "Track I" program for fee-based prioritized examination: a $4,800 fee for large entities, and $2,400 for small entities. </P> <P align=center><STRONG><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Future Considerations</SPAN></STRONG> </P> <P><STRONG>Post Grant Review (18 months after enactment):</STRONG> There will be a nine-month window for challenging a patent on any ground of patentability. The Post Grant Review procedure will apply only to applications with priority claims that are <SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><STRONG>18 months</STRONG></SPAN> after the date of enactment (one year for certain business method patents). Review may be granted in the following situations: </P> <BLOCKQUOTE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 15px" dir=ltr> <P>(a) a showing that it is more likely than not that at least one of the challenged claims is unpatentable; or </P> <P>(b) on the grounds that the petition raises a novel or unsettled legal question that is important to other patents/applications. </P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P><STRONG>Inter Partes Review: </STRONG>After the time for post-grant review has passed or after a post-grant review proceeding is completed, a patent can be challenged on the basis of prior art patents or printed publications only. This provision takes effect <STRONG><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">one year after enactment</SPAN></STRONG>, but will be available to challenge patents issued before its effective date. Review may be granted upon a showing that the petitioner has a reasonable likelihood in prevailing on the basis that at least one of the challenged claims is patentable. Decisions by the Board will be appealable to the Federal Circuit only. </P> <P><STRONG>First-To-File (18 months after enactment): </STRONG>The United States will move closer to a first-to-file system with several caveats based on changes to 35 USC § 102. A limited one-year grace period will be maintained when filing an application after a public disclosure made by the inventor, made by another who obtained the disclosed information from the inventor, or made after such an inventor-derived public disclosure. Under the first-to-file system, 35 USC § 102(a), the concept that prior art must precede the date of invention, and the one-year statutory bar under 35 USC § 102(b) will be eliminated. The new version of § 102 will apply to applications with priority claims that fall <STRONG><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">18 months</SPAN></STRONG> after the date of enactment. </P> <P><STRONG>Interference Proceedings (18 months after enactment): </STRONG>Changes to 35 USC § 135 will replace current interference proceedings germane to the first-to-invent system with derivation proceedings to determine whether the inventor named in an earlier-filed application derived the claimed subject matter from the inventor of a later-filed application. Derivation proceedings will apply to applications with priority claims that fall <STRONG><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">18 months</SPAN></STRONG> after the date of enactment. 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