A patent reform bill set for a Dec. 5 vote in the U.S. House of Representatives has intellectual property groups worried the sweeping language will do more harm than good in solving thorny patent litigation problems.
The Federal Circuit Bar Association on Tuesday sent a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) to express the group’s concern. Goodlatte sponsored the bill, which has moved swiftly since its introduction on Oct. 23.
The bill is meant to deter so-called “patent trolls” who use patent litigation as a way to get opponents to agree to settlements or to take licenses. Key provisions would raise patent case pleading standards and also make it easier for case winners to get legal fee awards.
