Patent Baristas

In a sign of “piling on”, more than 200 organizations and businesses have signed on to a letter to Chairman Leahy, Chairman Conyers, Chairman Berman, Senator Specter, Representative Smith, and Representative Coble of the Committee on the Judiciary regarding patent reform bill.

The group voiced serious concerns with certain provisions of The Patent Reform Act of 2007, S. 1145 and H.R. 1908 stating that “While we share the goal of making America more innovative and competitive, we find that certain aspects of the legislation will inadvertently accomplish the exact opposite by undermining the value of patents.”

Re-stating concerns with the patent bill, the group urged:

1. Removal of language pertaining to the apportionment of damages;
2. Removal of the open-ended post-grant review process;
3. Removal of rulemaking authority for the Patent and Trademark Office; and
4. The inclusion of a more flexible grace period.

Of particular note are signers:

– Association of University Technology Managers

– Biotechnology Industry Organization

– CropLife America

– Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE-USA)

– Medical Device Manufacturers Association

– NanoBusiness Alliance

– Small Business Exporters Association of the United States

– Small Business Technology Council

– Center for Small Business and the Environment

– Multiple small and large businesses, universities and venture capital funds.

See the full letter here:  200 Letter on Patent Reform