Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association has joined several other associations, including the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and SIIA, in an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to hear a patent case that involves patent reviews – a key defense tool against so-called patent trolls. The outcome of Google v. VirtaMove would impact patent holders and industries that build interoperable products.
The case focuses on part of a law that could prohibit people from asking for inter partes review of a patent more than a year after a challenger has been served with a patent infringement claim. The brief asks the Supreme Court to hear the case, pointing out that petitioners are legally entitled to access a patent review system and that the USPTO is dismantling that review system.
For more than 50 years, CCIA has advocated for a patent review process that can help reduce weak patents, particularly those being exercised by non-producing entities that aim to shake down companies for licensing fees.
The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Matt Schruers:
“As an association that represents both rightsholders and those building innovative new products that often rely on previous inventions to be interoperable, a balanced, navigable patent review system is imperative. The Supreme Court should hear this patent case to ensure we have a means like inter partes review to examine cases and block those seeking to misuse the patent system. A patent system that rewards innovation and thwarts misuse is crucial to American innovation and a thriving economy.”
