Obama Urged to Sign ‘Anti-Troll’ Patent Bill

President Obama is being pushed to sign into a law a bill passed by the United States Congress that would create six pilot programmes nationwide aimed at increasing expertise among district court judges in dealing with patents. Proponents consider the bill help against non-producing, patent owning companies that make a business of suing to defend the patents they own.

The Consumer Electronics Association released a statement saying: “The recent explosion in patent lawsuits is a serious impediment to American innovation. The costs of defending a patent lawsuit can be enormous, and so-called “patent trolls” run rampant, targeting our most successful and creative companies. The fact that many federal district court judges know little about patent law creates an especially fertile ground for frivolous litigation.”

The bill, HR 628, which also covers plant variety protection, is available here.