Stop Strangling Innovation and Competition

Target: Kathi Vidal, Nominee for Director of U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

Goal: End destructive lawsuits and anti-competitive patent trolling that deprives entrepreneurs and consumers of innovative goods and services.

Patents are supposed to be a way to protect the inventors that bring new goods and services to consumers. For years, however, so-called patent trolls have abused this process and stifled beneficial improvements and healthy business competition that could help society. These hostile entities are not inventors themselves. They simply scoop up endless numbers of patent rights and make bank from suing entrepreneurs who actually want to bring innovations to consumers.

Congress stepped in about a decade ago with the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA). This bipartisan legislation created independent boards of judges to review cases of potential patent abuse and significantly lowered the profits patent trolls could make from frivolous and damaging lawsuits. The abusive practice lessened significantly once this law was enacted. In 2018, however, a new head of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) set in place revised dictates that significantly undermined a law that was helping start-ups across the country. Patent trolls made a vicious comeback.

A new leader may shortly be confirmed at the PTO. Sign the petition below to urge this individual to restore the AIA and reinstate vital safeguards for entrepreneurs and consumers.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Ms. Vidal,

In your potential new role, you have the invaluable ability to support and nurture the spirit of entrepreneurship that has long guided this nation. Too often, though, the very instruments that should be driving businesses and consumers instead stunt vital economic growth. Patent trolls are arguably the single greatest danger to your mission.

Congress recognized this threat when it passed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act with bipartisan support. Unfortunately, your predecessor gutted this important law. Please make its restoration one of your first acts of office when you are confirmed. Businesses and consumers across the country are counting on you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Karolina Grabowska