News

US Rep submits patent troll bill for House consideration

May 19, 2014

In an effort to end spurious lawsuits by patent trolls, the U.S. House of Representatives is wading into patent reform legislation. Last week, Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., introduced a new bill that aims to prevent patent trolls from abusing the U.S. legal system, said a report by CUNA News Now. Terrry is chairman of the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Terry’s bill would seek to “increase transparency and accountability to help expose and prevent fraudulent infringement claims,” the report said.

In demand letters, patentholders would be required to provide information about the patent allegedly being infringed. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission would be granted broader powers to fine trolls for frivolous claims.

The Senate already has several draft proposals in hand, including S.1720, the Patent Transparency and Improvements Act, submitted by Senate Judiciary chairman, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. Of the four Senate bills, his is generally thought to be the most likely to move forward.