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Will The United States Take The Plunge Into Global Patent Law Harmonization? A Discussion Of The United States' Past, Present, And Future Harmonization Efforts., Anneliese M. Seifert

Marquette Intellectual Property Law Review

Ms. Seifert discusses the factors that shape harmonization of a global patent law system. She touches on how the philosophical differences of the United States, Japanese, and European patent systems have created difficulty in establishing a cohesive patent law system. The author then discusses international harmonization efforts such as WIPO and TRIPs and national patent law changes, such as the eighteen-month publication period created under the American Inventors Protection Act. In conclusion, the author discusses the future of patent harmonization, suggesting the need for a global, uniform method of patent interpretation for meaningful harmonization.