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Feb. 21, 2014 – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday launched an online toolkit to help consumers and businesses understand their rights regarding patent suits and specific patents should they ever be faced with litigation threats.

The new website came out of an order from President Obama last June requesting its creation so that those who have received demand letters or face the threat of patent lawsuits can understand their options.

Today, the White House also announced three new executive actions the administration said will "encourage innovation and further strengthen the quality and accessibility of the patent system." The actions include providing patent examiners a reference when reviewing new patent applications and more training to help examiners keep up with changing technology.

NAFCU supports patent reform, including the recently House-passed H.R. 3309, the "Innovation Act," introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. The bill builds upon the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act by requiring those alleging infringement to give the specifics of what and whose patent is infringed, and how it is infringed; limit discovery requirements; and allow courts to shift legal costs to winning parties.