Leahy-Smith America Invents Act

H.R. 1249 in the 112th Congress (2011–2012) became law — introduced on Mar 30, 2011, sponsored by Lamar Smith with 5 co-sponsors. Congress held 15 roll call votes on it.

During the 112th Congress (2011–2012), Barack Obama was president, and Republicans held the House majority and Democrats the Senate majority.

Status: Became law
Introduced: Mar 30, 2011
Co-sponsors: 5
Policy area: Commerce
Public law: Public Law 112-29

What it does

Leahy-Smith America Invents Act - (Sec. 3) Amends federal patent law to define the "effective filing date" of a claimed invention as the actual filing date of the patent or the application for patent containing a claim to the invention (thus replacing the current "first to invent" system with a "first inventor to file" system), except as specified.

Summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.

Sponsor

Lamar Smith (R-TX). Co-sponsors: 5 Republicans.

Where it stands

IntroducedMar 30, 2011
Passed the HouseJun 23, 2011
Passed the SenateSep 8, 2011
Sent to the PresidentSep 12, 2011
Became lawSep 16, 2011

Latest action: Became Public Law No: 112-29. (Sep 16, 2011)

How Congress voted

On Passage of the Bill
Senate · Sep 8, 2011 · Bill Passed89–9
On the Cloture Motion
Senate · Sep 6, 2011 · Cloture Motion Agreed to93–5
On Passage
House · Jun 23, 2011 · Passed304–117
On Motion to Recommit with Instructions
House · Jun 23, 2011 · Failed172–251

Every roll call vote on this bill

On Agreeing to the AmendmentHouse · Jun 23, 2011
On Agreeing to the AmendmentHouse · Jun 23, 2011
On Agreeing to the AmendmentHouse · Jun 23, 2011
On Agreeing to the AmendmentHouse · Jun 23, 2011
On Agreeing to the AmendmentHouse · Jun 23, 2011
On Agreeing to the AmendmentHouse · Jun 23, 2011
On Agreeing to the AmendmentHouse · Jun 23, 2011
On Agreeing to the AmendmentHouse · Jun 23, 2011
To amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reformHouse · Jun 23, 2011
To amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reformHouse · Jun 23, 2011
A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform.Senate · Sep 6, 2011
To strike the provision relating to the calculation of the 60-day period for application of patent term…Senate · Sep 8, 2011
To establish a transitional program for covered business method patents.Senate · Sep 8, 2011
To amend the provision relating to funding the Patent and Trademark Office by establishing a United States…Senate · Sep 8, 2011
A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform.Senate · Sep 8, 2011

More bills from Lamar Smith in the 112th Congress

Other Commerce bills in the 112th Congress

Committees

Budget Committee
Judiciary Committee

From GovInfo bill records, Congressional Research Service summaries, Voteview roll calls and lobbying reports.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “H.R. 1249 (112th Congress): Leahy-Smith America Invents Act,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/bill/112-hr-1249/leahy-smith-america-invents-act (accessed 2026-10-17).