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119-hr-3539119th CongressWALLET

Leadership in CET Act

Sponsored By: Representative Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5]

Introduced

Summary

Expedited patent review for critical tech like AI, semiconductors, and quantum. This bill would create a time‑bound United States Patent and Trademark Office pilot to move eligible patent applications ahead for faster examination and support U.S. leadership in these technologies.

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  • Startups and tech companies could get quicker patent decisions for inventions in artificial intelligence, semiconductor design, and quantum information science by requesting out‑of‑turn examination for qualifying applications.
  • Inventors must meet strict eligibility rules: applications must be original, noncontinuing nonprovisional utility filings and an inventor may not be named on more than four other covered pilot applications; applicants must certify they are not a foreign entity of concern as defined in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.
  • The USPTO Director may set rules, waive certain fees or requirements, publish participation and outcome data, and must end the pilot after 5 years or once 15,000 covered applications are accepted; a report is required within 180 days after termination.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Pilot ends after 5 years or 15,000

The pilot would end on the earlier of 5 years after the first acceptance or when 15,000 applications are accepted. If it ends due to the 15,000 cap, the Director could renew it for up to 5 more years or until another 15,000 are accepted. The Director would have to alert Congress either 60 days before the 5‑year date or within 30 days after 12,000 acceptances, whichever comes first.

Rules and public tracking for patent pilot

The USPTO Director would set detailed rules for how the pilot works and may consult with leaders from Justice, Defense, State, Treasury, and intelligence. “Expedite” would mean moving an application out of turn through a petition to make special. The USPTO would post easy‑to‑find metrics online: number submitted, number accepted, and number of patents issued from expedited covered applications. Within 180 days after the pilot ends, the Director would send Congress a report on results, and data collection for that report would be exempt from the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Faster patent path for critical tech inventors

The USPTO would set up a pilot within 1 year to fast‑track review of certain patents. It would cover inventions in AI, semiconductor design and EDA tools, and quantum tech. To join, applications must be original, nonprovisional utility filings under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), with no domestic benefit claims under 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c). No inventor could be named on more than four other pilot applications, and applicants could not be a “foreign entity of concern.” The Director could waive the petition fee and other accelerated exam requirements for some applicants, but waivers are not guaranteed.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 5/21/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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