Congressional interest in patent policy and possible patent reform has expanded as the importance of intellectual property to innovation has increased. Patent ownership is perceived as an incentive to the technological advancement that leads to economic growth. However, growing interest in patents has been accompanied by persistent concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the current system. This book provides an overview of current patent reform issues and offers a summary of the structure of the current patent system and the role of patents in innovation policy. The book also examines some of the broader issues and concerns, including patent quality, the high costs of patent litigation, international harmonisation, and speculation in patents that have motivated legislated reform proposals.