11 Courts of Appeals for Patents Before 1982 Geographic Boundaries

Multiple Appellate Court Approach MULTIPLE APPELLATE COURT APPROACH Arguments Against Multiple Appellate Court Approach ARGUMENTS AGAINST MULTIPLE APPELLATE COURT APPROACH Lack of national uniformity in interpretation and use of patent laws between the circuits. Uncertainty as to validity of U.S. patents meant decreased value of patents. Increasing certainty and value would increase incentive to invent and disclose discovery in patent, which would lead to more technological innovation in the U.S. 1982: Congress creates Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. All patent cases are appealed to this court.

PATENT PILOT PROGRAM 10 year program established by Congress on January 4, 2011 – Pub. L. No. 111-349 One Purpose is:   To “encourage enhancement of expertise in patent cases.”