Leahy-Smith America Invents Act

The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, enacted in 2011, is a significant U.S. law that reformed the patent system. It switched the U.S. from a "first to invent" to a "first to file" system, meaning the first person to file a patent application has priority. This change aims to simplify the patent process and encourage innovation. The Act also introduced new ways to challenge patents and improved the quality of patent examinations. Overall, it seeks to make the patent system more efficient and fair, fostering economic growth and technological advancement.