Patent Bill Would Provide Much Needed Reform in Patent Law

A recent Editorial in the Houston Chronicle by Digital Liberty’s Katie McAuliffe discusses how patent trolls are known for buying up patents, only so they can take innovative companies to court over violations of the patents.

The Patent Abuse Reduction Act of 2013 (PAR), introduced by Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, would solve some of the problems currently associated with patents.  First, the bill requires defendants to specify which patents they have infringed upon with their particular product and whether the infringement was direct or indirect.  Second, the bill limits the discovery period in order to limit litigation costs.  Third, unless the plaintiff has filed a claim that can be objectively justified, the court will award costs and fees to the prevailing party.  This bill would implement much needed reform in patent law and patent reform is an idea supported by both Republicans and Democrats.