From the Alliance


Jul. 17, 2018

Innovation Alliance Statement on Reintroduction of Bipartisan TROL Act by Representatives Burgess and Kaptur

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Innovation Alliance Executive Director Brian Pomper today issued the following statement on the reintroduction of the bipartisan Targeting Rogue and Opaque Letters (TROL) Act by Representatives Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH):

“The TROL Act is a balanced and thoughtful bill that carefully targets abusive demand letters while maintaining the integrity of legitimate patent enforcement practices for all patent holders. Importantly, it sets a uniform federal-level national standard on demand letters and would help avoid a patchwork of state laws that would make enforcement of patent rights extremely burdensome and expensive, which could chill the sending of legitimate patent-related communications made in good faith. It is one of several pieces of legislation introduced recently that would strengthen the patent system.

“Notably, all of the provisions of the TROL Act are also included in the broader STRONGER Patents Act, which was introduced in the Senate last year and in the House of Representatives in March. The STRONGER Patents Act goes beyond the TROL Act by also strengthening patent rights and helping ensure that our patent system continues to serve as an engine for U.S. economic growth and job creation. The Innovation Alliance urges Congress to take up and pass measures to strengthen the patent system, like the STRONGER Patents Act and the TROL Act, and start to reverse the harm that has been done from the weakening of that system in recent years.”

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ABOUT THE INNOVATION ALLIANCE

The Innovation Alliance represents innovators, patent owners and stakeholders from a diverse range of industries that believe in the critical importance of maintaining a strong patent system that supports innovative enterprises of all sizes. Innovation Alliance members can be found in large and small communities across the country, helping to fuel the innovation pipeline and drive the 21st century economy. Learn more at www.innovationalliance.net.

CONTACT: Alyson Chwatek, (202) 331-1011, alyson@blueenginemedia.com