October 30, 2013 | News, Statements

Statement: The Internet Association Applauds Senator Hatch’s Legislation to Combat Patent Trolls

 

Washington, D.C. - The Internet Association, the D.C. based trade organization representing the interests of leading Internet companies, issued the following statement from its President and CEO Michael Beckerman on the introduction of The Patent Litigation Integrity Act:

“The Internet Association applauds Senator Hatch’s introduction of The Patent Litigation Integrity Act, which will reduce the asymmetrical risks in patent litigation that patent trolls exploit to extract settlements from large and small businesses and legitimate innovators.

“By requiring certain plaintiffs to post a bond for attorneys fees upon motion by the defendant, the bill will level the playing field in litigation against trolls that shield themselves from risk or responsibility by operating through shell companies that hold little or no assets.  At the same time, the bill gives judges the discretion to ensure that the bonding requirement does not pose a barrier to justice for individual inventors, educational institutions, and legitimate small businesses.

“We look forward to working with Senator Hatch and Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to pass strong legislation that not only decreases patent litigation abuse, but also strengthens the patent system.”

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The Internet Association Files Amicus Brief To Quash the NYAG Subpoena Against Airbnb

The Internet Association, a nonprofit trade organization representing the leading Internet companies, filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of Albany in support of quashing the subpoena against Airbnb by the New York Attorney General’s office. Airbnb is a member of The Internet Association.

LETTER FROM ORGANIZATIONS TO JUDICIARY SUPPORTING CBM

Today, The Internet Association signed on to a letter with 23 other organizations that represent tens of thousands of businesses employing tens of millions of Americans, as well as public utilities and public interest groups. The letter, sent to Judiciary Committee leaders and members, calls on Congress to provide relief from patent abuse by creating an efficient, inexpensive alternative to litigation for fighting the invalid business method patents commonly asserted by PAEs.

We Applaud the House Judiciary Introduction of Bipartisan Patent Reform Legislation

The Internet Association applauds Chairman Goodlatte’s bipartisan introduction of The Innovation Act. This bill will reduce the unfair advantages and incentives that patent trolls rely on to target businesses of all sizes and sectors, costing our economy $80 billion per year. With minor but necessary improvements, this bill will help all hard-working American businesses and improve our patent system.

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The Internet Association, a nonprofit trade organization representing the leading Internet companies, filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of Albany in support of quashing the subpoena against Airbnb by the New York Attorney General’s office. Airbnb is a member of The Internet Association.

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