Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association filed comments to the International Trade Commission supporting its transparency proposal that would require third-party litigation funding disclosure for those asking the ITC to block imports for alleged patent violations.
In responding to the ITC’s request for stakeholder input, CCIA said, “[g]reater transparency is urgently needed to detect conflicts of interest, clarify the entities whose rights are truly at issue, protect sensitive confidential information, and prevent speculative or foreign entities from weaponizing the threat of Commission exclusion orders from the shadows.”
For more than 50 years, CCIA has advocated for balanced patent policies that encourage innovation and limit misuse of the patent system.
The following can be attributed to CCIA Head of IP Policy, John Lee:
“Transparency is essential to the integrity of any adjudicative process. Additional disclosure requirements are a welcome addition to ensure the Commission has a complete understanding of financial interests involved in a proceeding, including increasingly from opaque funding sources, to support informed decision-making and reinforce continued confidence in the ITC’s work.”