This is another entry in my series of "Things I spent time writing to my Senators and Representative and don't want to vanish away into the ether never to be seen again."
It's about patent reform. I sent it via the Take Action widget on the right side of Patent Progress’s Guide to Federal Patent Reform Legislation, which I encourage you to read for more information on the topic.
I ask you to support the Innovation Act and oppose the STRONG Act. The Innovation Act corrects many of the flaws in our current patent system.
The Innovation Act requires plaintiffs to make their claims clearly and explicitly at the beginning of litigation, as should be the case in any lawsuit. It requires the plaintiffs to identify the real financial beneficiaries of infringement lawsuits. It removes the financial burden of extended discovery from defendants; patent trolls abuse discovery to conduct lengthy and costly "fishing expeditions" simply to increase the likelihood that their targets will settle to avoid the expense of continuing to defend themselves. The Innovation Act enables manufacturers to protect users of their products from patent trolls.
I support the Innovation Act and I ask you to do so too. It would reform the aspects of our patent system that reward patent trolls who provide no economic value, and punish companies that actually manufacture products and provide services.
The STRONG Act, on the other hand, strengthens and protects bad patents from invalidation. It makes it easier for patent trolls to obtain triple damages from their victims. It preempts state laws that prohibit plaintiffs from sending "demand letters" for royalties in bad faith.
The STRONG Act is a gift to patent trolls. I oppose the STRONG Act and ask that you oppose it as well.