House Prepares to Vote on Administration Supported Patent Reform Bill
The House Judiciary Committee reported on Dec. 2 the Innovation Act, a patent reform bill, and referred the amended legislation to the Union Calendar. Congressman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., introduced the legislation, HR-3309 (here) Oct. 23 (see 13110121). The legislation received bipartisan support on the Judiciary Committee, garnering 33 votes in favor to five opposing votes. The Obama Administration in a Dec. 3 press release commended the bill’s aim to increase transparency in patent infringement cases and limit legal fees.
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“By reducing unnecessary costs of patent litigation, it also represents significant progress on the efforts to level the playing field for small innovators,” said the administration in a press release. “The administration supports the effort to discourage abusive court filings, but hopes that, as final legislation is crafted, appropriate recognition is given to the importance of judicial discretion in balancing competing interests.” The final legislation should contact additional measures to increase transparency of demand letter and pre-litigation patent ownership.
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the administration press release.