This appeared a few days ago.
US Congress to consider law against 'patent trolls'
Date October 24, 2013 - 4:32PM
The US Congress to soon review the behaviour of "patent trolls", a widespread practice some say is crippling innovation in the US and overseas.
A US congressman, who has led the charge against frivolous patent infringement lawsuits, introduced a bill on Wednesday to curb the behaviour of so-called trolls but faced criticism that some of the proposals go too far.
The bill from Representative Bob Goodlatte, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, requires companies to provide specific details on what patent is infringed and how it is used when they file a lawsuit.
It also requires judges hearing patent cases to award fees to the winner in an infringement lawsuit, unless the judge decides that the loser's position was "substantially justified" or some other circumstances exist.
Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican, is working on the bill with his counterpart on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy. Leahy indicated his legislation would be ready soon.
The White House urged Congress to take steps to curb abusive patent lawsuits in June. Other proposals are circulating on Capitol Hill, as well as a proposed study of "patent assertion entities" (PAEs) by the Federal Trade Commission.
PAEs or 'patent trolls' are companies that typically do not invent or manufacture products. Their business model is to buy the intellectual property of others and seek money from firms that may infringe those patents.
Last year, trolls accounted for the majority of patent lawsuits in the US according to Colleen Chien, a law professor at Santa Clara University.
Lots more here:
I last mentioned MMRGlobal in a recent blog found here:
We can only hope that having the law change in the US will mean the tiny MMRGlobal will simply go out of business and we can all just get on with life!
Seems the change will probably happening pretty soon.
David.
1 comment:
All that will happen David is the Patent owners will create a product (even a beta) to prove their patent.
The lawsuits will continue no matter the legislation...
If MMR Global has done the above and NEHTA is in breach they will have to pay for infringement..
Post a Comment