When Does New Patent Law Go Into Effect?

A.G. Bell takes a call
(c) Sasha Stim-Fogel

Dear Rich: I read that Congress passed a new patent law. Will this affect a provisional patent application that I filed last month? [Note: the law discussed in this question was finally enacted on September 16, 2011] No, the new law (The America Invents Act aka Patent Reform) has not been enacted, yet. ] Both the Senate and House of Representatives have passed versions but the two versions haven't been 'harmonized.' The Dear Rich staff believes that the Act will be enacted next month. In fact, we're so sure that we've prepared a timeline explaining when the 37 provisions of the bill go into effect.