Senators urge patent combatants to compromise

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leading senators in the battle over patent reform urged stakeholders on Thursday to reach some sort of compromise that would allow a balanced overhaul of the patent system to win approval.

Bills now before the U.S. Congress would reduce damages for infringement, make it harder for plaintiffs to shop for a friendly court and make other changes. Many high tech companies support them as a way to reduce litigation, while big drug companies and some smaller tech firms bitterly oppose them on the grounds it would weaken their patent protections.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said the issue of damages -- the biggest stumbling block -- had yet to be resolved.

"Any changes in the patent system could have major unintended consequences," said Feinstein, who urged development of a patent bill that balanced the needs of various industries.

"I don't believe we're there yet. It entails no one side getting everything it wants."

Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, agreed.

"There's no way we're going to be able to please everybody with this bill. We all know it," he said.

The committee made minor changes to the bill, one of which would require some reviews of patents that have already been granted to be instituted by the director.

Sen. Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, urged the lobbyists packing the room to weigh in on the changes.

"Let us know what you think about it, especially if you have an objection," he said.

A similar bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives in late 2007, but failed in the Senate.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Andre Grenon)