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.”