Press Release: Collins Calls for New Patent Eligibility Test Following Flawed Court Ruling
WASHINGTON — Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals held ineligible a patent the American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. (AAM) brought against Neapco Drivelines LLC. The AAM patent covered a way to manufacture a better driveshaft. The new process included inserting a liner to reduce vibration and improve performance.
“Our patent eligibility test is clearly flawed, and the court’s decision yesterday regarding American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. showcases the inadequacies of this test. It’s unthinkable the courts found this invention, a manufacturing process for making a key automotive part, as patent ineligible. The courts have misstated the law several times, which deprives many innovative products of adequate protection. Congress must establish a new eligibility test to encourage investment in developing new U.S. technologies and ensure American inventors aren’t at a global disadvantage. I’ve been working on reforming this test with my colleagues in both the House and the Senate, and I look forward to continuing this important work.”
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