American Inventors React to Delay of Patent Reform Bill

Big victory today as Senate Judiciary Chairman Leahy (D-VT) delayed patent legislation once again. As we have said in the past, we don't believe that this bill is being given the time and consideration it deserves.

We are hopeful that Congress recognizes that we need more time to craft a bill that will help American innovators while reducing unnecessary patent litigation. A statement was released from Edison Nation, USIJ and Entrepreneurs for Growth supporting the decision.

Read the full statement below:

AMERICAN INVENTORS PRAISE LEAHY DECISION TO DELAY PATENT LEGISLATION

Inventors: Proposals needlessly burdened innovators rather than addressing “trolls”

Washington, DC— Following the announcement from Senate Judiciary Chairman Leahy (D-VT) that patent reform legislation would not remain on the Committee’s agenda, a diverse group of American inventors praised the decision.

Eb Bright of the Alliance of U.S. Startups and Inventors for Jobs (USIJ) stated, “This legislation attempted to hunt for trolls, but ended up shooting at American inventors and job creators. The legislative proposals being discussed either missed the abusive practices altogether or cast a far broader net than intended. We applaud the work of Chairman Leahy and the Committee and their wise decision to slow down and reconsider how to thoughtfully deal with this important issue.”

USIJ, together with Edison Nation and Entrepreneurs for Growth, has been vocally opposed to legislative proposals that they argued would unfairly burden “garage” inventors in their attempt to address patent “trolls.” Last month, the groups organized a fly-in to Washington, meeting with members of Congress to air their concerns with the proposals.

The groups also argued that, as the America Invents Act was fully implemented less than a year ago, its effect on our patent system has yet to be fully understood or appreciated, and that any attempts to alter the current system should be done with care to avoid unintended consequences that would harm inventors and entrepreneurs.

“We appreciate that Chairman Leahy took the concerns of inventors into account in this decision,” said Louis Foreman, Chief Executive of Edison Nation. “We look forward to participating in a true debate to reform our patent system that includes input from all those affected. As job-creators and small business owners, inventors aren’t looking to obstruct the process; we’re looking to be included in the process.”