Prohibiting Adversarial Patents Act of 2026
To amend title 35, United States Code, to limit the ability of persons who pose a threat to national security to receive and enforce patents, and for other purposes.
The bill, HB9142, aims to change patent laws to ensure that individuals or entities posing a threat to national security cannot easily receive or enforce patents. This means the bill seeks to protect sensitive technologies from being patented by those who might misuse them. This change is intended to safeguard national security by preventing harmful technology from falling into the wrong hands.
The bill would affect individuals and entities that are deemed a threat to national security, particularly those who might seek to patent technologies that could be harmful if misused. By limiting their ability to enforce patents, the bill aims to protect critical technologies and innovations from being exploited by those with malicious intent. This could include foreign adversaries or domestic groups deemed to be a national security risk.
HB9142 was introduced on June 4, 2026, and has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. At this stage, the bill is being reviewed and considered by the relevant committee before it can proceed to further legislative steps. It has not yet been scheduled for a hearing or vote.
