America Invents Act

The America Invents Act (AIA), enacted in 2011, reformed the U.S. patent system to encourage innovation and streamline the process. It shifted the patent system from "first to invent" to "first to file," meaning the first person to submit a patent application gets the rights to the invention. The AIA also introduced new review processes to challenge patent validity, aimed at reducing litigation. These changes sought to improve efficiency, increase transparency, and promote competition, ultimately supporting inventors and businesses in protecting their ideas and fostering technological advancement.