Press Releases 
CPF Statement Regarding House Judiciary Committee Hearing on Abusive Patent Litigation
WASHINGTON, D.C.
– The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) applauds Chairman Bob Goodlatte, Subcommittee Chairman Howard Coble, and the members of the Subcommittee on
Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet for holding today’s hearing on the economic impact of abusive patent litigation in the United States. The
witness testimonies spoke to the heart of the problem with America’s outdated patent system, underscoring that the economic consequences of abusive patent
litigation extend far beyond Silicon Valley and are increasingly affecting American innovation and job creators on Main Street.
As today’s testimonies showed, Patent Assertion Entities (PAEs), commonly referred to as “patent trolls,” are not limited in their targeting. For large
companies, the costs inflicted by patent trolls are significant and burdensome, and for small companies and startups, the financial fallout can be
absolutely devastating. Studies find that the victims of this game of patent extortion are often the small and medium-sized businesses that are essential
to innovation and job creation in the United States, and the impact on them is growing.
According to a recent study by Santa Clara University School of Law professor Colleen Chien, companies making less than $100 million annually represented
66 percent of the defendants in patent troll litigation, and more than half of those defendants had less than $10 million per year in revenue.
The members of the CPF support Congressional efforts to reform an outdated patent system that is long on litigation and short on common sense, and they
look forward to working with Congress as they aim to strengthen the U.S. patent system and protect the very job creators, of all sizes and across
industries, that are powering America’s economic recovery.
*****
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and
competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Adobe
San Jose, CA
Cisco Systems
San Jose, CA
Dell
Round Rock, TX
Google Inc
Mountain View, CA
Intel Corporation
Santa Clara, CA
Intuit
Mountain View, CA
Oracle
Redwood Shores, CA
Rackspace
Austin, TX
BlackBerry
Dallas, TX
SAP America, Inc.
Newtown Square, PA
Verizon Communications Inc.
New York, NY
Contact: Kate Connors, Kate.Connors@StoryPartnersDC.org
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Follow us on Twitter at @FairPatents
CPF Statement Regarding Introduction of the SHIELD Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) is pleased to support HR 845, the
bipartisan SHIELD Act (“Saving High Tech Innovators from Egregious Legal Disputes Act of 2013”),
sponsored by Congressmen Peter DeFazio and Jason Chaffetz. Members of CPF believe that America’s
patent system needs to be updated, and introduction of the SHIELD Act is a step in the right direction.
For too long, patent assertion entities (PAEs), commonly referred to as “patent trolls,” have taken
advantage of our litigation system to seek quick profits from bad patents. The SHIELD Act will
restore the proper financial accountability by removing the incentives from filing unnecessary, abusive
and burdensome litigation. Quite simply, patent trolls can't have a free roll of the dice, and SHIELD would
help to ensure that they do not.
This common-sense reform will strengthen the U.S. patent system by allowing independent inventors to
seek their rewards through our judicial system while curbing the patent abuse from patent profiteers.
America’s innovative businesses deserve a chance to flourish; as one of several needed updates to the
patent system, SHIELD will help to provide that chance.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness and the companies and industry associations within our membership
look forward to working with Congress on this important legislation.
*****
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and
competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Adobe
San Jose, CA
Cisco Systems
San Jose, CA
Dell
Round Rock, TX
Google Inc
Mountain View, CA
Intel Corporation
Santa Clara, CA
Intuit
Mountain View, CA
Oracle
Redwood Shores, CA
Rackspace
Austin, TX
BlackBerry
Dallas, TX
SAP America, Inc.
Newtown Square, PA
Verizon Communications Inc.
New York, NY
Contact: Kate Connors, Kate.Connors@StoryPartnersDC.org
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Follow us on Twitter at @FairPatents
CPF Statement Thanking President Obama For His Remarks on the America Invents Act
WASHINGTON, D.C.
– The Coalition for Patent Fairness, comprising leading companies in the manufacturing and information technology industries, today released the following
statement regarding comments that President Obama made in support of doing more to fix the patent system:
“The members of the Coalition for Patent Fairness commend President Obama for his suggestion that there is still significant work to be done toward updating
and improving America’s patent system.
“Despite the passage of the America Invents Act (AIA), many of America’s most innovative companies are still plagued by patent assertion entities (PAEs),
commonly referred to as “patent trolls.” According to recent research, patent trolls cost the American economy $29 billion in 2011 – and this estimate did
not take into account the indirect costs of lost innovation. In fact, the problem is growing. Increasingly, patent trolls target the vulnerable small- and
medium-sized businesses that are often unable to assume the cost of litigation. These are future job creators in America, and should be protected so that
they can grow.
“Quite simply, PAEs exist solely to profit off the market innovation of others. That’s why, just a week before the President made his comments about the
need for additional improvements beyond AIA, CPF called on Congress to take further steps to update and enhance the patent system. Our letter outlined
measures that we believe would help to mitigate the impact of patent trolls. The letter, in its entirety, can be viewed here.
“We thank President Obama for his comments, and we look forward to working collaboratively with the Administration, Members of Congress, and other
stakeholders to constructively update and strengthen the patent system in a way that allows innovation to flourish.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness
Adobe
San Jose, CA
Cisco Systems
San Jose, CA
Dell
Round Rock, TX
Google Inc
Mountain View, CA
Intel Corporation
Santa Clara, CA
Intuit
Mountain View, CA
Oracle
Redwood Shores, CA
Rackspace
Austin, TX
BlackBerry
Dallas, TX
SAP America, Inc.
Newtown Square, PA
Verizon Communications Inc.
New York, NY
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and
competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Contact
: Kate Connors, Kate.Connors@StoryPartnersDC.org
Coalition for Patent Fairness Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Signing of The America Invents Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act.
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness has spent the last year working closely with the Congress and the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) on successful implementation of The America Invents Act. The PTO has led a strong and inclusive effort to get the various implementation items completed on time.
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness and its members will continue to work with Congress to pass a needed technical corrections bill and appreciate the leadership of Chairman Leahy and Chairman Lamar Smith in that effort.
“Innovators continue to face challenges in the patent system. Patent assertion entity abuses continue to escalate and we are increasingly seeing small business and innovative startups become their targets. We look forward to working with policymakers and all stakeholders to ensure the system can address those concerns.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Oracle, RIM, SAP, and Symantec.
For more information, visit
http://www.patentfairness.org.
“Patent Trolls” Cost Productive Companies $29 Billion in 2011, Stall Innovation, and Hurt Small Businesses
Washington, D.C. – “Patent Trolls” cost the American economy $29 billion in 2011, not including the indirect costs to the defendant’s business such as diversion of resources, delays in new products and loss of market share, according to a study released today by James Bessen and Michael Meurer of the Boston University School of Law.[i]
The study, titled “The Direct Costs from NPE Disputes,” found that NPE litigation is growing rapidly, and affected 5,842 defendants in 2011. Building on the research of their 2011 study, “The Private and Social Costs of Patent Trolls,” the study released today estimates the direct cost portion of total costs using survey data gathered directly from defendants, and provides information on companies not publicly listed, including small companies.
The direct costs of NPEs are large relative to total business spending on research and development, which totaled $247 billion in 2009 (NSF 2012), implying that NPE patent assertions effectively impose a significant tax on investment in innovation. There is little evidence to suggest that NPEs promote invention overall. The costs to defendants in NPE suits, most of whom invest heavily in R&D, are much larger than the possible flows to small inventors. Publicly-traded NPEs cost small- and medium-sized firms more money than these NPEs could possibly transfer to small inventors. NPE assertions reduce the amount that both small and large firms have available to invest in innovation.
“The patent system still needs significant reform to make it a truly effective system for promoting innovation,” the authors conclude. To counter the rapid growth and high cost of NPE litigation, the patent system should improve notice, including more rigorous enforcement of the claim definiteness standard. Greater transparency and more accurate damages calculations are also needed. To deter frivolous lawsuits, the study recommends improving the system through greater use of fee-shifting to losing litigants in patent cases and more stringent pleading requirements.
The authors also highlight key findings illustrating the disproportionate burden of NPEs on small- and medium-sized companies:
- Much of the NPE dispute burden falls on small- and medium-sized companies. Eighty-two percent (82%) of the defendants had less than $100 million in revenue, and these accounted for 50 percent of the defendants. As a fraction of revenues, the direct costs of NPE patent assertions are relatively larger for small companies.
- Small and medium-sized companies account for 90 percent of the defendant companies, 59 percent of the lawsuit defenses and 37 percent of the accrued direct costs.
The study’s results are especially timely as the U.S. Government and Accountability Office (GAO) prepares to submit to Congress its study of the consequences of patent litigation by NPEs. The study, mandated by the America Invents Act, is due September 16, 2012, and will address the impact of litigation on the duration of patent claims, the costs of such litigation, and the economic impact on the U.S. economy and job creation. The GAO study must also include recommendations to minimize the negative impact of such patent litigation.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include: Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Oracle, RIM, SAP, Symantec, and Verizon Communications.
The study was based on a survey of NPE-related costs performed by RPX Corporation, a patent risk-management company.
RPX Corporation (NASDAQ: RPXC) is a leading provider of patent risk solutions, offering defensive buying, acquisition syndication, patent intelligence and advisory services. Since its founding in 2008, RPX has introduced efficiency to the patent market by providing a rational alternative to litigation. The San Francisco-based company’s pioneering approach combines principal capital, deep patent expertise, and client contributions to generate enhanced patent buying power. By acquiring patents, RPX helps to mitigate and manage patent risk for its growing client network.
_________________________
[1] The authors defined direct costs to include the cost of outside legal services, licenses fees, and other direct costs incurred in response to NPE litigation risk. Indirect costs included the opportunity costs of the effort exerted by legal, managerial, engineering, and scientific personnel inside the firm, and other business disruption costs such as loss of goodwill, loss of market share, or disruption of innovative activities.
Contact: Mollie O’Dell, Mollie.ODell@StoryPartnersDC.com
Statement Following the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Hearing on Prior User Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement following the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet hearing titled, “Prior User Rights: Strengthening U.S. Manufacturing and Innovation":
“We applaud the Committee for examining the next steps necessary to fine tune the patent system in ways that protect the intellectual property of US innovators. As the Committee has continually recognized, prior user rights are an integral piece of a robust modern and balanced patent system. We look forward to working with the Committee and other stakeholders to move forward with productive solutions.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members includes Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Oracle, RIM, SAP, Symantec, Verizon Communications.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
CPF Statement On the Signing of The America Invents Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued this statement following the signing
of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act.
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness congratulates President Obama on the signing of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. This bill is an important step forward for the nation’s patent system
and represents consensus among many key stakeholders and broad support across various
industries.
“Included in this bill are critical provisions to strengthen and modernize the patent system,
including: ensuring prior user rights under the new first-to-file system, preserving the sanctity of
attorney client privilege, and adding needed misjoinder rules for litigation. These provisions will
harmonize America’s patent system and allow us to continue to compete in the international
marketplace.
“Today’s multi-patent technologies and complex global economy present new challenges that
require a modern patent system. That system will require the work of not only Congress, but
also the judicial branch, the International Trade Commission, the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office, companies, and inventors. The Coalition for Patent Fairness is looking forward to working
with all the stakeholders to implement this bill.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to
enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and
strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple,
Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, and Symantec.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
CPF Statement on Senate Passage of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 8, 2011: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following
statement after Senate passage of H.R. 1249, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act.
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness congratulates Chairman Leahy, Chairman Smith, and
additional key Members of Congress on the passage of H.R. 1249, the Leahy-Smith America
Invents Act. We’re looking forward to President Obama signing this important piece of
legislation into law.
“Today’s passage marks the end of more than six years of debate and represents a consensus
amongst many critical stakeholders. The bill contains critical provisions that will advance and
harmonize our patent system, while making the U.S. more competitive in the international
marketplace. We applaud the House and the Senate for passing a bill that takes significant steps
toward strengthening America’s patent system and promoting innovation.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to
enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and
strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple,
Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, and Symantec.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
CPF Letter to the U.S. Senate in support of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act
September 6, 2011
The Honorable Harry Reid
Senate Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Senate Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell:
The Coalition for Patent Fairness writes to provide our support for Senate passage of H.R. 1249, the
Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. We urge Senators to support cloture on and oppose all amendments
to this important legislation.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is comprised of our country’s most innovative technology companies.
Our companies hold tens of thousands of U.S. patents and are active participants in all facets of the
patent system. We have a long history of working on this and previous legislative efforts to improve our
nation’s intellectual property systems, and take very seriously the need to have a balanced system that
promotes innovation. We look forward to working with Congress and the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office to implement this legislation. Likewise, we will continue work with all policymakers on the important
task of ensuring that our nation’s patent system keeps pace with rapidly changing technologies and
business models.
After more than six years of debate, the Coalition for Patent Fairness believes that the time has come for
Congress to send a patent reform bill to the President for signature. We strongly support changes made
in the House to affirm critical prior user rights under the new first to file system, provide needed misjoinder
language, and maintain sufficient access to the inter partes re-exam process. We believe that H.R. 1249
is an important step forward to advance and harmonize our patent system in such a manner to allow us to
continue to compete in the international marketplace.
On behalf of the high tech community, we thank you and your Senate colleagues for your tireless work to
pass patent reform legislation.
Sincerely,
Coalition for Patent Fairness
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to
enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and
strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple,
Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, and Symantec.
Coalition for Patent Fairness Applauds House Passage of H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 23, 2011: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following the passage of H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act.
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness congratulates Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and the U.S. House of Representatives on the passage of H.R. 1249, the America Invents Acts. The House bill is a step forward in the long process of patent reform.
“Chairman Smith and the members of the House Judiciary Committee should be applauded for their commitment to promoting patent fairness and strengthening America’s patent system. We look forward to continuing to work with Members in the Senate and House as the legislation moves forward.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple, Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, and Symantec.
Coalition for Patent Fairness Applauds House Judiciary Committee Passage of Patent Reform Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 14, 2011: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 1249, The America Invents Act:
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness congratulates Chairman Lamar Smith and Members of the House Judiciary Committee on passage of The America Invents Act. Under their leadership, improvements have been made to H.R. 1249 that promote a more balanced, higher quality patent system.
“We applaud the Committee for its work to ensure the America Invents Act achieved a consensus among stakeholders and broad support among various industries.
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness offers our support of the legislation and while we will seek further improvements, we look forward to continuing our support while preserving the tech friendly features.”
NOTE: The CPF sent a letter this morning before the markup to Chairman Lamar Smith. A copy can be found here.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple, Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, Symantec, and Verizon Communications.
Coalition for Patent Fairness: “We Look Forward to Supporting H.R. 1249 in Committee”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 14, 2011: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) sent the following letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith:
April 14, 2011
The Honorable Lamar Smith
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Smith:
On behalf of the Coalition for Patent Fairness, a group representing innovative technology companies creating jobs in America, we thank you for your leadership on H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act.
In H.R. 1249, you have made some important improvements upon the version of patent reform passed by the Senate. H.R. 1249, as introduced, includes prior user rights, a necessary step to harmonize this legislation with global first to file systems. In the recent manager’s amendment, you improved the inter partes reexam provisions by expanding the time frame in which a party can file an inter partes challenge to one year after the start of litigation. Likewise, we understand that you are willing to accept amendments today clarifying the treatment of intervening rights, protecting the confidentiality of settlement documents, and removing stay provisions in the manager’s joinder provision. Each of these provisions is essential to creating the balance in this legislation necessary for our support of the bill to move forward in the legislative process.
One issue that causes serious concern and has yet to be resolved is new language in the manager’s amendment that would redefine the meaning of “prior art” by replacing the well-defined terms “public use” and “sale” in current law with the heretofore undefined term, “public disclosure,” and making related changes. As you know, the definition of prior art is at the very core of the patent system, and any alteration of it can have major consequences. It is our understanding that you and others on the Committee are in the process of resolving this concern, which we understand is shared by other interested parties, and you will speak to these concerns during the committee markup. Assuming a sufficient solution can be found on this issue and the priorities of our Coalition are not weakened, we lend our support to passing H.R. 1249 out of the House Judiciary Committee.
While we take the very significant step of offering our qualified support for this bill, we reserve the right to support additional amendments on longtime goals like inter partes reexam and supplemental examinations. Simply put, your leadership has improved the bill and we will seek opportunities to improve it more.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple, Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, Symantec, and Verizon Communications.
Again, we applaud your leadership and look forward to supporting H.R. 1249 in the Committee.
Sincerely,
The Coalition for Patent Fairness
Coalition for Patent Fairness: “Getting Patent Reform Right is Critical to Our Economy”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 30, 2011: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement following the hearing of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet on patent reform:
"Patent reform has been a lengthy and complicated process and we commend the House for debating this topic. America’s top innovators and job creators depend on a fair and equitable patent system, thus consensus must be achieved during this debate.
"Today’s testimony correctly highlighted some of our concerns with the bill including the language related to inter partes re-examination and supplemental examination. We will continue to support prior user rights and a robust funding structure for the Patent and Trademark Office, and work with Congress to resolve our concerns.
"Getting patent reform right is critical to our economy and the Coalition for Patent Fairness looks forward to improving the bill throughout this process."
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple, Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, Symantec, and Verizon Communications.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Coalition for Patent Fairness Statement on the Passage of S. 23
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 8, 2011: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement regarding Senate passage of S.23:
"The Senate process improved S.23 by removing the damages, venue, and willfulness provisions before the final vote; however, we continue to have concerns about the bill and could not support its passage at this time.
"As the bill moves into the House, we're looking forward to working with Members to address these concerns. The Coalition for Patent Fairness stands ready to help reach a consensus on the most efficient way to lessen the growing burden of abusive and unjustified patent infringement claims.
"The Coalition for Patent Fairness believes that additional changes need to be made to the bill in the House to reflect the concerns of America's leading technology innovators and job creators as they continue to drive the economic recovery.
"The Coalition would like to acknowledge the leadership of Chairman Leahy, Senators Grassley, Kyl, Mark Udall, Bennet, Coons, Scott Brown, Risch, Crapo, Boxer, Feinstein and many others and thank them for their tireless efforts on working to secure patent fairness."
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation's patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple, Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, Symantec, and Verizon Communications.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Coalition for Patent Fairness Applauds Passage of Manager’s Amendment on S. 23
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 1, 2011: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement applauding the passage of the Manager’s Amendment on S. 23.
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) applauds the passage of the Manager’s Amendment on S. 23 and we thank Chairman Leahy, Senators Grassley, Kyl, Udall, Bennet, Coons, Brown, Risch, Crapo, Feinstein and many others for their leadership. The amendment provides much needed language to strike the damages and venue provisions, and is an improvement from the bill’s original language.
“Thanks to the manager's amendment, the bill is moving in a promising direction and will be working with Senators to improve the legislation as we go forward. The high tech community still supports additional changes.
“We will be supporting the Risch amendment to strike the inter partes provisions. Inter partes reexams should not be made more burdensome with controversial changes, and these provisions should be removed unless we have real consensus.
"Getting patent reform correct is critical to the American economy. We’re continuing to work with Congress to address the concerns of America’s top innovators. Addressing the key set of Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) funding and patent quality reforms are critical for maintaining a modern and effective patent system."
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple, Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, Symantec, and Verizon Communications.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Coalition Letter to the Senate Voicing Concerns with S.23
February 28, 2011
Dear Senator:
The goal of the Coalition for Patent Fairness is to develop a balanced, effective, and
strong patent system for the 21st century. The provisions outlined in S. 23,
scheduled to be debated by the Senate, do not yet meet this goal.
Portions of the current bill – including the inter partes reexam, damages, and venue
sections – remain objectionable to the technology community and we believe most
stakeholders would support removing those sections.
America's high‐tech companies and innovators remain concerned about other
provisions in the bill as well, such as including prior user rights in the first to file
system and ensuring funding for the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). We will
continue to work with the Senate to correct these provisions and move forward
with a bill focused on PTO funding and operations and provisions to strengthen
patent quality in the United States.
In summary, there is no consensus on large parts of S.23. The Senate should not
move forward until these provisions are improved or removed from the bill. Until
these matters are addressed, we must oppose the bill.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry
associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and
competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our
nation's patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple,
Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, Symantec, and Verizon
Communications.
Sincerely,
Coalition for Patent Fairness Steering Committee
Coalition for Patent Fairness Statement on Patent Reform in the “Win the Future” Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 16, 2011: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement today in response to the plan presented by Senate Democratic Leadership.
"The Coalition for Patent Fairness applauds Senate Majority Leader Reid, Assistant Majority Leader Durbin, Senator Schumer and Senator Murray for laying out an aggressive agenda to keep the United States competitive in the global market.
"As the Senate continues to debate patent reform legislation, the Coalition for Patent Fairness stands ready to help reach a consensus on the most efficient way to lessen the growing burden of abusive and unjustified patent infringement claims.
"While we are encouraged by the changes made to the bill reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee from earlier versions, we continue to have concerns with the current Senate bill. The Coalition for Patent Fairness believes that additional changes need to be made to the bill to reflect the concerns of America's leading technology innovators and job creators as they continue to driving the economic recovery."
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, Symantec, Verizon.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Coalition for Patent Fairness Statement on Senate Judiciary Committee Passage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 11, 2011: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement in advance of today’s House Judiciary Committee hearing on patent reform.
"The Coalition for Patent Fairness applauds the House of Representatives for debating the issue of patent reform, but cautions that current approaches may misdiagnose America’s systemic patent problem and puts jobs at risk.
“Congress can continue to treat the symptoms of our strained patent system, or we can give the PTO the tools it needs to fix itself. We need new and substantive legislation that gives the PTO the ability to crack down on invalid patents, non-practicing entities and false marking cases, because these issues stifle innovation and threaten American businesses.
“The stakes are too high to take a step backward; we must carefully upgrade our patent system before American innovation becomes obsolete.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, Symantec, Verizon.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Coalition for Patent Fairness Statement on Senate Judiciary Committee Passage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 3, 2011: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee passed S.23, the Patent Reform Act of 2011 out of committee:
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness is encouraged the Senate is addressing patent reform, but the current approach is not yet the solution.
“Today’s committee action took a step in the right direction by removing controversial provisions of the legislation, but more work needs to be done. The Feinstein Amendment regarding willfulness was accepted by the committee and was a significant improvement to the bill.
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness believes that the bill in its current form has significant problems and we look forward to working with Congress to improve it.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Coalition for Patent Fairness members include Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, Intuit, Micron, Oracle, RIM, SAP, Symantec, Verizon.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Coalition for Patent Fairness Opposes Current Direction of Senate Patent Reform Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 2, 2011: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement in advance of the Senate Judiciary Committee mark-up of S.23, the Patent Reform Act of 2011:
"The Coalition for Patent Fairness opposes S.23 because innovative technology companies would like to take a step forward - not backward. This bill is supposed to be a consensus issue for stakeholders in the patent system. Right now, there is no real consensus.
“The current bill does not reflect the needs of our nation’s most innovative companies who constantly face the growing burden of abusive, unjustified patent infringement claims.
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness believes the path to patent reform must begin with an open conversation among the technological leaders of today and the innovators of tomorrow. If Congress goes at this alone, America’s patent problems will continue but American innovation will not.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Members of Senate High-Tech Task Force Ask Senate Judiciary Leadership Not to Weaken the Patent Reform Act of 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 30, 2009: Today, five members of the Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions asking them to oppose efforts to weaken the Patent Reform Act of 2009.
“It has been suggested in some circles that the tech industry is open to modifications of the key provisions of the Senate Bill, S.515. In fact, the members of the Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) are concerned about efforts to weaken the Senate Judiciary approved bill and oppose such efforts. CPF members expressed appreciation for the principled stand in favor of a strong bill reflected in the High-Tech Task Force letter,” the Coalition for Patent Fairness said.
CPF believes in a strong and fair patent system that fosters innovation and job creation that will improve the quality of patents and ensure that small, medium and large companies have the ability to protect their intellectual property and create new products. A recent study by noted economist and former U.S. Department of Commerce official Dr. Everett Ehrlich determined that the damages reform provisions in the original Senate bill would create 100,000 new high tech jobs and that doing nothing would result in the loss of 150,000 current high technology sector jobs. Legislative reform is critical to enable the patent system to promote, rather than inhibit innovation and economic recovery.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF Statement on the Nomination of Victoria Espinel as IP Coordnator
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 25, 2009: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement regarding the nomination of Victoria Espinel as the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator or “IP czar”:
“In nominating Victoria Espinel as the IP czar, President Obama selected a knowledgeable and true leader on intellectual property-related issues. The experience Ms. Espinel has gained as founder of Bridging the Innovation Divide and as former Assistant United States Trade Representative for Intellectual Property and Innovation in the Office of the United States Trade Representative will ensure U.S. intellectual property is protected in foreign markets and will allow her to promote U.S. innovation, ingenuity, and new products, which will in turn drive our economy forward.”
As the IP coordinator Victoria Espinel, will oversee the law-enforcement efforts of several government agencies including - the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department and the Department of Justice - in the area of piracy and IP infringement.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF Supports Bill To Prevent PTO Furloughs
Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member Smith Offer Solution to Pending Furloughs at Patent Office
WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 7, 2009: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement regarding legislation offered by House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers and Ranking Member Lamar Smith to provide funding for the United States Patent and Trademark Office to prevent pending furloughs:
“CPF supports efforts in Congress to ensure that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has the resources it needs to review patent applications in a timely manner in order to facilitate innovation and job creation. With this legislation, Chairman Conyers and ranking Member Smith have put forward a responsible solution to ensure the PTO continues to operate and that pending layoffs that will lead to additional delays in patent processing do not occur.
“CPF also supports broader reform to ensure the U.S. patent system remains the premier patent system in the world. CPF supports comprehensive and fair patent reform legislation that will foster job creation, support innovation, protect patent integrity, speedily resolve disputes and curb abuse of the patent system.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF statement on the nomination of David J. Kappos for PTO Director
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 18, 2009: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement regarding the nomination of David J. Kappos as Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office:
"We applaud President Obama's nomination of David J. Kappos to serve as Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). Mr. Kappos has the background and experience needed to lead the U.S. Patent Office at a time when it faces significant operational challenges in an ever-evolving competitive global marketplace.
“The PTO has an important role to play in fostering an economic environment that promotes American innovation and global competitiveness, spurs new product development and creates jobs here in the United States. As leading U.S. patent holders, we look forward to the opportunity to work with Mr. Kappos in helping the PTO fulfill that important responsibility. We support President Obama’s call for reforms to the US patent system that will spur innovation and job creation.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF: Committee Action on Patent Reform Bill an “Important Step Forward” on Meaningful Reform
Coalition of leading technology companies applauds Senators Leahy, Feinstein, Specter and Hatch for leadership on reform
April 2, 2009 – Washington, DC: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) today praised the Senate Judiciary Committee for taking an “important step forward” in addressing long-overdue reforms to the U.S. Patent System. The Judiciary Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy and Senators Diane Feinstein, Arlen Specter and Orrin Hatch, advanced S. 515, the Patent Reform Act of 2009, out of the Committee today.
CPF today released the following statement on the progress of this important legislation that will modernize the patent system that hasn’t seen significant reforms since 1952:
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness applauds Chairman Leahy for championing long-overdue reform of our patent system and also thanks Senators Feinstein, Hatch, and Specter for their leadership on these issues.
“The bill reported by the Judiciary Committee today is an important step forward in the process of revising our patent law to reflect the realities of the modern economy. It adopts the "first to file" patent system employed by our principal trading partners and empowers the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to take a more active role in reviewing claims that patents were improperly issued. By enacting the "gatekeeper" and venue provisions, the bill begins to address the flaws in the patent litigation system that allow patent abusers, companies that do not produce or invent anything, to force our country's most innovative companies to divert billions of dollars away from innovation and job creation into litigation costs and hold-up settlements. As leading innovators and patent holders, we believe in and rely upon a fair patent system that protects the rights of inventors and innovators to recover damages for value lost due to infringement; we oppose the use of patent litigation to tax innovation by coercing unjustified protection payments from companies bringing innovative products to market.”
CPF is looking forward to continuing to work with Members of the Judiciary Committee to build on the progress made today. CPF believes that in order for the legislation to achieve the important goals listed in the statement above, several key issues remain to be addressed, including:
- Making sure that the adoption of a first-to-file system includes the essential principles needed to make that system fair, particularly the user rights for prior inventors that are a feature of just about every other first-to-file system in the world.
- Ensuring that the PTO's power to review the validity of issued patents can be employed effectively in the areas in which improper patent grants are believed to have been most frequent -- the technology and business method areas.
- Expanding the patent litigation provisions so that they effectively close the door on all of the opportunistic litigation practices employed by patent abusers.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Coalition for Patent Fairness Statement on Developments with Patent Reform Bill
March 31, 2009 – Washington, DC: The Coalition for Patent Fairness issued the following statement regarding the developments with the Patent Reform Act of 2009 before the Senate Judiciary Committee today:
“We applaud Chairman Leahy's leadership and the efforts of Senators Feinstein, Specter and Hatch to reach an agreement to move patent reform forward. Reports indicate much progress has been made, and we look forward to continuing progress toward resolving the remaining issues that the legislation must address in order to achieve effective patent reform.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
28 CEOs Send Letter to President Obama in Support of Patent Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 25, 2009: Today, 28 CEOs from leading American companies wrote a letter to President Obama in support of patent reform. The letter urges the President to support the Patent Reform Act of 2009, which is in line with the Administration’s technology policy objectives as set out on www.whitehouse.gov. An excerpt from the letter is below:
“We share your sense of urgency on revitalizing the U.S. economy and believe that patent reform is an important part of that effort. According to a study by the Information Technology Industry Foundation, information technology has driven nearly all of the economic growth in the United States over the last decade, adding $2 trillion annually to the economy. Modernizing the U.S. patent system and stopping the abuses we see now will greatly enhance our efforts to innovate by creating U.S.-based jobs to help better lead our nation’s economic recovery.”
To view the full letter with the list of signatories please go to: http://www.patentfairness.org/learn/factsheets/
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Legislative reform is critical to enable the patent system to promote, rather than inhibit innovation and economic recovery.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Locke: Innovation and Job Creation “Critical” in Assessing Patent Reform
Coalition for Patent Fairness Lauds Commerce Secretary Nominee’s Pledge to Use Economic Data When Considering Reform Measures
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 20, 2009: Innovation and job creation are important factors in determining patent reform policies, according to President Obama’s Commerce Secretary Designee Gary Locke.
In written testimony provided to the Senate Commerce Committee, Locke said, “[I]nnovation is critical to creating jobs and bringing us out of the current economic downturn.” His comments echo the Obama Administration’s position that patent reform will spur innovation and job creation and will be part of the Administration’s overall economic policy.
Locke also addressed the economic need for patent reform when he testified before the Committee. In his testimony Locke told Members of the Committee, "We must look over the horizon and prepare for the new economy that will emerge when this recession passes. Simply put, we must re-build, re-tool and re-invent our national strategies for sustained economic success.”
“We agree with Governor Locke’s statement that ‘innovation and job creation is essential to reversing the current economic downturn.’ A recent independent study by economist Dr. Everett Ehrlich projected that the Patent Reform Act of 2009, as written, would create 100,000 new jobs over the next five years. On that assessment alone, the Patent Reform Act is a job creation engine and Congress should pass it quickly,” the Coalition for Patent Fairness said.
The Ehrlich study projected the potential economic impact of S. 515, the Patent Reform Act of 2009. Dr. Ehrlich found that as written, including the reforms for instituting fairness in the damages process by establishing guidelines that allow inventors to recoup the true value of their invention in legitimate infringement cases, the Patent Reform Act would create 100,000 new high-tech sector jobs over the next five years. Dr. Ehrlich also warned in the report that if Congress failed to do anything and maintained the status quo, 150,000 more jobs could be lost over the same timeframe.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Commerce Nominee Calls for Patent Reform as Part of Foundation for Economic Growth
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 18, 2009: During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee today, Former Washington Governor Gary Locke indicated that reforming the patent system, including reducing the backlog of patent applications, would be part of his agenda for instituting long-term economic growth policies at the Department of Commerce.
In his testimony, Locke told Members of the Committee, "We must look over the horizon and prepare for the new economy that will emerge when this recession passes. Simply put, we must re-build, re-tool and re-invent our national strategies for sustained economic success.” His comments were reported by a number of media sources.
As leading patent holders with collectively more than 75,000 patents, we support efforts to modernize the U.S. patent system, including efforts to resolve the backlog of patent applicants and reforms to the litigation process that incentivizes litigation over innovation. We look forward to working with Secretary-designee Locke, President Obama, Senators Pat Leahy and Orrin Hatch, and Representatives John Conyers and Lamar Smith to enact bipartisan meaningful patent reform legislation that will allow American companies to focus on innovation and job creation, not litigation.
Locke’s comments reiterate the support for patent reform expressed by the Administration on whitehouse.gov in its “innovation agenda” for creating jobs and economic growth. A recent economic report indicated that the damages reform provisions in the bipartisan Patent Reform Act would create 100,000 new jobs if enacted.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Patent Reform Could Generate 100,000 Jobs, Report Says
NPEs File 88% of Tech Related Patent Claims, According to Congressional Testimony
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 10, 2009: A study on the economic impact of patent reform found that, if enacted, reforms to the patent system could produce as many as 100,000 new jobs in the high technology sector. In addition, if Congress fails to enact meaningful patent system reform, the economy could lose as many as 150,000 jobs, the report said.
Also, according to testimony today during the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on patent reform legislation, non-practicing entities (NPEs) – businesses that do not create or sell products or services but rather demand royalty payments from companies that do create or sell goods or services – account for 88% of all patent claims against technology companies. Over the last five years patent lawsuits against technology companies have increased 70% and licensing fee requests – frequently a precursor to litigation – have increased 650% since 2004. That means technology companies seeking to bring innovative products and services to market are subject to an unprecedented wave of patent claims from entities that did not exist when the patent law was written more than fifty years ago.
The independent report released today was written by leading business economist Dr. Everett M. Ehrlich, President of ESC Company. The testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee was provided by Steve Appleton, Chairman and CEO of Micron Technology, Inc. To read the report and the testimony, visit www.patentfairness.org.
“The economic data released today is startling new information. It demonstrates that reforming our patent law will enable American companies to dedicate more resources to innovation and create the new jobs that our economy so desperately needs. Dr. Ehrlich’s report concludes that reforms to the patent system will create up to 100,000 new jobs and that failing to act could cost America up to 150,000 jobs. The testimony that NPEs, or patent trolls, account for 88% of all suits filed against technology companies is an alarm bell about abuse of the patent system. Congress should enact the bipartisan Patent Reform Act of 2009 to encourage innovation and job creation and end the abuse of the patent system,” the Coalition for Patent Fairness said.
Dr. Ehrlich has served as the Undersecretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs. He co-chaired the White House working group on the restructuring of the U.S. economy in the face of information technology. He has also served as Assistant Director of the Congressional Budget office and in a number other public and private sector positions.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
COALITION FOR PATENT FAIRNESS SUPPORTS PATENT REFORM TO PROMOTE INNOVATION AND JOB CREATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 3, 2009: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement in response to the introduction of the bipartisan Patent Reform Act of 2009:
“The Coalition for Patent Fairness commends the leadership of Chairman Leahy, Chairman Conyers, ranking members Senator Hatch and Representative Smith and their cosponsors for introducing bipartisan legislation to modernize our patent system.
“Especially during difficult economic times like these, U.S. companies need a legal environment that maximizes innovation and job creation. The Patent Reform Act of 2009 will promote innovation; bring new products to market; improve our competitiveness and create U.S. jobs, while modernizing a patent system that is overburdened and in need of reform.
“The patent reform bill addresses the three critical areas that will modernize the U.S. patent system to meet the needs of our information-based, modern economy: improving patent quality, bringing U.S. law into line with that of our major trading partners and reforming the abuses of how patents are used and enforced by the courts.
“In addition to the bipartisan, bicameral support for this legislation in Congress, CPF is encouraged by the strong support for patent reform expressed in President Obama’s innovation agenda as outlined on the White House website (www.whitehouse.gov). With that support and the need to promote job creation here at home, we feel the chances of passing this legislation and reforming the patent system to support fairness and innovation have increased.”
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Legislative reform is critical to enable the patent system to promote, rather than inhibit, innovation and economic recovery.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF Supports Former Governor Gary Locke for Commerce Secretary
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 25, 2009: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement in response to the announced nomination of former Washington State Governor Gary Locke as Commerce Secretary:
"We applaud President Obama's appointment of former Governor Gary Locke as the Commerce Secretary. Governor Locke understands the need to encourage innovation in order to create jobs and grow the U.S. economy. Locke’s commitment to innovation as a governor shows that he understands the need for a strong patent system. Our patent system is in dire need of modernization and we look forward to working with Governor Locke as he implements the Obama administration's commitment to reform the current system. The U.S. Patent System must be updated to stop unjustified lawsuits that dampen innovation, encourage research and development and new innovation, create jobs, and stimulate the economy."
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Coalition for Patent Fairness Renews Call for Patent Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 24, 2009: In the current economic climate it is more important than ever for Congress to enact meaningful reforms to the U.S. patent law, says the Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF), a leading innovation, competitiveness and patent reform advocacy organization.
In a letter to Congress released today, a broad array of supporters of modernizing the patent law called for Congress to pass bipartisan patent reform legislation that will modernize the PTO, address patent fairness, and allow American companies to invest in innovation and job creation. The letter, signed by more than 100 small, medium and large companies and trade associations, was addressed to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.
The letter states that patent reform is critical to fostering innovation and creating new jobs.
“…in light of the current economic situation, our country and our leading small, medium and large businesses must do everything we can to facilitate creation of the new products and services that will produce more jobs and economic growth. Although the purpose of the patent system is to promote innovation, the numerous hearings held by your two committees over the past five years have demonstrated that some aspects of the system today are in urgent need of reform.”
According to the Center for American Progress (CAP) there are more than one million pending US patent applications. These delays are dampening innovation and job creation. In a January report, CAP called on Congress to take action to reform the patent law.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Legislative reform is critical to enable the patent system to promote, rather than inhibit innovation and economic recovery.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Coalition For Patent Fairness Launches New Website, Blog
WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 18, 2009: The Coalition for Patent Fairness has unveiled its new website, www.patentfairness.org. The site has an updated interface, content and a new blog - the Better Mouse Trap Blog - that will follow developments in the patent reform arena.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness issued this statement: "Deficiencies in our patent system are holding our economy back by dampening innovation and job creation. Congress needs to pass a bipartisan and comprehensive patent reform bill to modernize and reduce uncertainty in the current system by addressing the backlog of patent applications in the patent office, ensuring only proper patents are being granted, and creating an environment where small, medium and large companies can innovate and create jobs. Our revised website will communicate that message and serve as a source of information for policy makers, business leaders, consumers and journalists interested in patent reform."
The new Patentfairness.org will feature a blog that will track innovation and patent reform issues and public policy. The Better Mouse Trap Blog, named as a nod to America’s tradition of innovation, will be updated regularly and track legislative and regulatory developments, highlight member company activity, and deliver filter-free pro-patent reform messages to interested audiences.
The site also provides resources to interested parties seeking to learn about patent reform and will ask visitors to volunteer to take action to support a bipartisan patent reform bill that will spur innovation and job creation. Patent reform is part of President Obama’s technology and innovation agenda.
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Legislative reform is critical to enable the patent system to promote, rather than inhibit innovation and economic recovery.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF Supports Sen. Gregg for Commerce Secretary
WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 3, 2009: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement in response to the appointment of New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg as Commerce Secretary:
"We commend President Obama's appointment of Senator Judd Gregg as the Commerce Secretary. The central mission of the Commerce department is to promote economic growth here and abroad. We need Senator Gregg’s leadership to ensure that the commitments of the Administration to support a bipartisan effort to reform our patent system are met to encourage innovation over litigation, create jobs, and grow the U.S. economy."
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF Statement on S.299
WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 22, 2009: The Coalition for Patent Fairness, a group of 13 small and large technology and innovation companies, issued the following statement following the introduction of S. 299, legislation that establishes a pilot program in district courts for the purpose of enhancing the patent expertise of judges:
"We commend Senator Specter and Representative Issa for proposing this pilot program to enhance the patent law expertise of federal judges. It recognizes a specific problem and at the same time reinforces the need for broader reform of the patent system as advocated by numerous independent studies including most recently the Center for American Progress report released on January 12. We look forward to working with them and other members of Congress to pass a meaningful patent reform bill that curbs abuse of the patent system, fosters innovation and job creation, and updates the patent law to address the dramatic changes that have occurred in the patent marketplace in the 50 years since the last significant legislative reform."
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF Applauds CAP Call For Congressional Action On Patent Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 12, 2009: The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) issued the following statement in response to a Center for American Progress report that calls on Congress to take action to reform and modernize the U.S. patent system:
"We agree with the Center for American Progress that ‘legislative reform is critical’ to enable the patent system to promote, rather than inhibit, innovation and economic recovery. We applaud CAP for recognizing that current patent law standards governing assessment of damages and the locations where suits may be filed are obstacles to innovation that must be reformed. The McCurdy paper included in today’s announcement also documents the drag on innovation and the economy constituted by patent trolls and their abuse of the system."
The Coalition for Patent Fairness is a diverse group of companies and industry associations dedicated to enhancing U.S. innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market by modernizing and strengthening our nation’s patent system. Legislative reform is critical to enable the patent system to promote, rather than inhibit innovation and economic recovery.
Contact: Amos Snead, Amos.Snead@StoryPartnersDC.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
