Press Releases
Members of Senate High-Tech Task Force Ask Senate Judiciary Leadership Not to Weaken the Patent Reform Act of 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – 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: David DiMartino dd@bluelinesc.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF Statement on the Nomination of Victoria Espinel as IP Coordnator
WASHINGTON, DC – 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: David DiMartino dd@bluelinesc.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, DC – 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: David DiMartino dd@bluelinesc.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF statement on the nomination of David J. Kappos for PTO Director
WASHINGTON, DC – 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: David DiMartino dd@bluelinesc.com, 202-661-6368
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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368
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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
28 CEOs Send Letter to President Obama in Support of Patent Reform
WASHINGTON, DC – 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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368
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, DC – 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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Commerce Nominee Calls for Patent Reform as Part of Foundation for Economic Growth
WASHINGTON, DC – 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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368
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, DC – 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: David DiMartino 202-661-6375 eeagan@patentfairness.org
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
COALITION FOR PATENT FAIRNESS SUPPORTS PATENT REFORM TO PROMOTE INNOVATION AND JOB CREATION
WASHINGTON, DC – 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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368 dd@bluelinesc.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF Supports Former Governor Gary Locke for Commerce Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC – 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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368 dd@bluelinesc.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Coalition for Patent Fairness Renews Call for Patent Reform
WASHINGTON, DC – 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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368 dd@bluelinesc.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
Coalition For Patent Fairness Launches New Website, Blog
WASHINGTON, DC - 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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368 dd@bluelinesc.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF Supports Sen. Gregg for Commerce Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC - 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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368 dd@bluelinesc.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF Statement on S.299
WASHINGTON, DC – 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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368 dd@bluelinesc.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.
CPF Applauds CAP Call For Congressional Action On Patent Reform
WASHINGTON, DC – 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: David DiMartino 202-661-6368 dd@bluelinesc.com
For more information, visit http://www.patentfairness.org.