正當各界還在殷殷期盼美國參議院的司法委員會加緊腳步以制定一套全面有效遏制日益嚴重的Patent Troll的法案的同時，另一項法案在參議院的商業委員會也正在被快速地推動中。
上周四 (02/07/2014)，參議員Claire McCaskill所推動的一項名為【專利主張透明化法案】(Transparency in Assertion of Patents Act) 新法案，賦與聯邦貿易委員會(Federal Trade Commission) 權限要求專利主張者的律師信函(demand letter)必須揭露一定的相關資訊，包括像誰是專利權人? 主張被侵犯的專利是哪個等等。
此法案的推動對於保護中小型企業尤為重要。一般中小型企業接到專利主張公司語焉不詳的律師信函要求給付時，往往因為不願負擔訴訟程序將花費的龐大金額，而草草付錢了事。此新法案希望在此類信函的透明化要求之下，能夠遏止名為主張專利、實則僅僅是恐嚇詐欺性質的給付要求。
看來參議院在雙管齊下的努力之下，美國專利法改革以防堵Patent Troll勢力擴張可望在不久的將來獲致相當的成果。
資料來源:
Senate Bill Targeting Patent Troll on Fast Track Would Affirm FTC Authority to Crack Down on Deceptive Demand Letter
Do you think that patent law practice is a field that is in decline?
ReplyDeleteWhile it may discourage threats of frivilous lawsuits, it may also discourage legitimate lawsuits being pursued since there will always be a risk of losing within a legal dispute. In addition the text of TPP has stated the requirement for strict compliance with outstanding patent treaties which provide protection against further lawsuits against foreign patents. Or do you anticipate there wil be an increase in patent lawsuits. I am currently a tax practitioner and am interested in getting involved with patent law.