Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association has joined several other technology trade associations to file an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to hear a patent case that may determine whether businesses in the United States can effectively defend themselves against so-called patent trolls. The case, Tesla v. Granite Vehicle Ventures, is closely watched by companies increasingly being sued by those seeking to abuse the patent system because it addresses a patent review process that can eliminate weak patents misused by bad actors.
Last year, the US Patent and Trademark Office adopted new policies that would effectively eliminate the ability of companies being sued repeatedly by patent trolls to use a review process established by Congress, known as inter partes review (IPR). In the amicus brief, CCIA and its co-filers argue that the USPTO action unlawfully sets aside Congress’ patent reform law known as the America Invents Act.
For more than 50 years, CCIA has supported a patent review process to help clear invalid patents, particularly those being misused by purely rent-seeking patent trolls that aim to shake down companies using the threat of abusive lawsuits.
The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Matt Schruers:
“Congress provided a legal process to combat patent trolls, which proved crucial to challenging the bad patents used to shake down American innovators. The PTO’s move to limit this process guts Congress’s efforts to stave off frivolous lawsuits that drive up the cost of consumer products and medication. We urge the Supreme Court to hear this case to reaffirm the law that protects companies and consumers.”
