CCIA Praises Introduction Of Patent Reform Legislation
3/3/2009
Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association is
applauding the reintroduction of the Patent Reform Act today by Senate
Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., former Chairman Orrin Hatch,
R-Utah, House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., and ranking
member Lamar Smith, R-Texas. The following statement can be attributed
to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“With members who are both
holders of patents and users of patents we live and breath all sides of
the patent reform debate. Legislation to restore balance, fairness and
efficiency to the intellectual property system is critical in these
economic times and we applaud members of Congress for taking up this
crucial issue.
“Balanced patent reform is needed so there are incentives for inventors
to innovate, yet there is also the ability for others to come along and
build on previous inventions to create even newer innovations. This
give and take is critical for a balanced, growing economy. We look
forward to improved patent quality and provisions that would provide a
cost-effective alternative to litigation.
“We hope this legislation will get the attention and floor time it
deserves. We understand that the apportionment of damages is an area of
disagreement among some, but believe a common ground and common sense
solution can be found that gives an inventor what they are entitled to
– no more and no less. Leaving this matter to the courts could have a
chilling effect on innovation due to rulings that have been wildly
disproportionate to the relative economic contribution of the
intellectual property rights at issue.”
Contact:
Heather Greenfield
202-783-0070 ext 113
Ed Black
202-783-0070 ext 110
