We Applaud the House Judiciary Introduction of Bipartisan Patent Reform Legislation

Chairman Goodlatte’s Innovation Act will reduce abusive patent litigation

The Internet Association applauds Chairman Goodlatte’s bipartisan introduction of The Innovation Act. This bill will reduce the unfair advantages and incentives that patent trolls rely on to target businesses of all sizes and sectors, costing our economy $80 billion per year. With minor but necessary improvements, this bill will help all hard-working American businesses and improve our patent system.

By making patent litigation more efficient, transparent, and balanced, this legislation will discourage many patent trolls from exploiting low quality patents to sue innocent startups, retailers, hospitals, grocery stores, restaurants, charities, municipalities, and both large and small businesses.

We also welcome the focus on addressing low quality patents by amending the PTO’s Covered Business Method program so that companies have an effective and less expensive alternative to litigation. The Internet Association and its member companies appreciate the work of the Chairman and his staff that led to the introduction of this bipartisan legislation and will continue working with the Chairman, members of the House Judiciary Committee, and their counterparts in the Senate on passage of legislation that reduces abusive patent litigation and improves patent quality.

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