PIA Advocates to End Patent Troll Abuse

Published: April 01, 2014

 SEWICKLEY, PA | Printing Industries of America (PIA) recently attended a White House event to announce major progress on a series of initiatives launched last year to combat “patent trolls” and abusive patent litigation. 

PIA's view continues to be that patent litigation reform legislation should demystify the patent process for end users—like printing companies—and ensure they are able to have less costly, less burdensome avenues with which to defend themselves. Such solutions include:

• Deterring patent troll activity by cracking down on deceptive behavior that accompanies bad faith demand letters.

• Protecting customers who are targeted in patent infringement lawsuits by permitting the case against them to be stayed while the manufacturer litigates the alleged infringement.

• Reforming the patent litigation system to include new heightened pleading requirements, as well as increasing the transparency of patent ownership.

• Reducing the overall cost of abusive patent litigation by balancing discovery demands. This would empower more of our member companies to fight frivolous claims of infringement rather than settle.

Following the event PIA president and CEO Michael Makin said, “It’s clear that both the White House and Printing Industries of America agree that the economic damage of ‘patent trolls’ must be strongly combated. It is our industry’s belief that both business and innovation drive the spirit and economy of this nation, and both should be protected from abusive patent trolls.”

Makin continued, “Keep in mind, that patent trolls do not innovate, do not promote economic growth, and do not contribute to the greater good of education or scientific research. Most importantly, patent trolls do not create jobs—our businesses do. And yet their actions threaten job creation and hinder entrepreneurship. We are encouraged by consensus on the problem and look forward to working with both the Executive and the Legislative Branches to forge common sense, practical solutions that protect all users of the patent system.”

Click here for more information about PIA’s Government Affairs Department and presence on Capitol Hill.

And for more on this subject from PFFC president/editorial director Yolanda Simonsis, click here.

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