Newsroom

April 02, 2014

Senate Judiciary talking patent reform

April 3, 2014 – The Senate Judiciary Committee will discuss patent reform in a business meeting today but plans to complete work on a bipartisan deal before moving legislation forward, according to NAFCU lobbyists.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has introduced S. 1720, the "Patent Transparency and Improvements Act of 2013," which is aimed at increasing transparency in the ownership of patents and protecting consumers targeted with frivolous lawsuits related to patent infringement.

NAFCU has thanked Leahy for his attention on patent reform and has also supported other patent reform measures, including House-passed H.R. 3309, the "Innovation Act," introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and two separate bills from Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, that would help discourage patent trolls from filing frivolous lawsuits.

Next Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade will hold a hearing addressing abusive patent demand letters.