Patent reform to be derailed by human trafficking?
Tensions in the Senate Judiciary Committee over a human trafficking bill are holding back progress on patent reform, reports Politico.
A trafficking measure introduced by Senator John Cornyn has been criticised by Senator Patrick Leahy (right), who said Republicans are playing “political games” by inserting an abortion provision into the bill.
Politico quoted sources reporting delays in progress on patent reform as a result of the skirmish. However, it also quoted Cornyn denying the human trafficking bill is causing a holdup in the patent reform. “We’re big boys and girls and can decide each on its merits,” Cornyn said. He had previously said a patent reform deal could be come up with by “sometime late in April”.
Leahy also denied the abortion dispute had stopped patent negotiations. “We are close and I would rather take a few days longer and get it right and get everybody together on it than try to rush something through simply to have something,” he said.
