Patent Law

Money Matters

By Gary Odom and Jordan Kuhn

The Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform, whose motto is "patents matter," made no small matter of making money matter in lobbying for patent legislation: paying law firm Akin Gump $1.2 million in 2007 to grease the skids.

$420,000 was shelled out in the first half of 2007, $760,000 in the second half. Duping the House into action was a snap, even though nailing the right jelly to the wall eluded them; but buying senators proved more vexing.

IP barbell AIPLA is a member of the 21st Century club, as well as the expected corporate contingent.

The Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform favors: limiting "subjective elements" in patent litigation, such as inequitable conduct, willful infringement, and the "best mode" requirement; first-to-file; limited post-grant opposition. The group opposes: damages apportionment; letting the PTO run amok with rule-making; interlocutory appeals; venue restriction; having the loser pay costs and attorney fees; and being able to skirt infringement by offshore assembly.

Full post as published by The Patent Prospector on February 12, 2008 (boomark / email).