i2Coalition Statement on Patent Reform Executive Actions

Washington, DC – Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition) Co-Founder and Public Policy Working Group Chair David Snead today released the following statement discussing President Obama’s Executive Actions on patent reform:

“i2Coalition is encouraged by the series of Executive Actions issued today by the Obama administration, but without Congressional action these reforms are altogether insufficient when it comes to protecting innovators from the malicious tactics of patent trolls.

“The White House has been out in front of this issue for more than a year, and the President repeated his call to protect innovators from these infamous trolls during his State of the Union Address for the second year in a row. A month later, we are glad to see the administration embracing reforms that aim to curtail abuses to the patent system that extend beyond harmful litigation tactics, focusing too on problems with the system as a whole.

“While these reforms to the Patent and Trademark Office are a necessary, positive step toward the goal of eliminating abuse, real, lasting reform to our patent system must come in the form of Federal legislation.

“The House of Representatives took up the mantle for innovation last year when it passed the Innovation Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. We urge the Senate to build on this momentum and the leadership of Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, Senator Mike Lee, Senator John Cornyn, Senator Orrin Hatch and Senator Chuck Schumer to pass substantive patent reform legislation that will banish these trolls for good.”

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