Washington — The Computer & Communications Industry Association co-filed an amicus brief at the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) on Friday evening on the applicability of sovereign immunity to IPRs. This case will determine whether sovereign immunity can be used to shield a patent from inter partes review (IPR). By allowing the PTO to review its earlier decision to grant a patent, IPR…
Washington — The Supreme Court heard arguments today in a case that could prevent some patent trolls from bringing lawsuits to excessively patent-friendly courts like the Eastern District of Texas. The TC Heartland v. Kraft Foods case is being closely watched by many industries from retailers to technology who are looking to the high court…
Washington — Senator Orrin Hatch, who chairs the Senate’s Republican High Tech Task Force, released his Innovation Agenda at a news conference today. Hatch highlighted better data privacy, which is important both for digital commerce and communication, and asked for reforms to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. He also called for better STEM education, streamlined…
Washington — Senators Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, have introduced a bill aimed at patent trolls filing abusive patent cases in the Eastern District of Texas, considered friendly territory for those whose main business is patent lawsuits rather than making products. The Eastern District of Texas took 44 percent of…
Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association filed an amicus brief Friday in support of Samsung’s recent petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. Samsung is asking the Supreme Court to reverse a controversial decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; that decision ordered Samsung to pay its total profits for…
Washington — The House Judiciary Committee approved language for its patent reform bill Thursday that would go a long way towards reining in the still-growing patent troll industry. It would require clarity in court filings and reduce the costs of patent litigation. One debated language change involved whether patent trolls can request venue changes to…
Washington — Senate Judiciary Committee leaders have introduced bipartisan legislation today intended to rein in patent trolls who threaten businesses and consumers with legally questionable infringement claims. One reform could allow prevailing defendants to recover legal fees — if they can prove the plaintiff’s claim was not reasonable. Another would require attorneys sending vague letters…
Washington — House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte along with IP Subcommittee Chairman Issa and Representatives Anna Eshoo and Peter DeFazio have announced they would introduce patent reform legislation, which passed the House last session with broad, bipartisan support. The measure is expected to attract broad support on and off the Hill as patent trolls expanded…
Washington – The White House has officially nominated Deputy Director Michelle Lee to lead the Patent and Trademark Office. Lee had been running the office for nearly a year, which has been leaderless since David Kappos left. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black: “A balanced and focused patent system…
