The Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform (CFCPR) is an
ad hoc
Ad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning literally 'to this'. In English, it typically signifies a solution for a specific purpose, problem, or task rather than a generalized solution adaptable to collateral instances. (Compare with ''a priori''.)
Com ...
organization of companies who are
lobbying
In politics, lobbying, persuasion or interest representation is the act of lawfully attempting to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of government officials, most often legislators or members of regulatory agency, regulatory agencie ...
for reforms to the US
patent
A patent is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention for a limited period of time in exchange for publishing an enabling disclosure of the invention."A p ...
system. They are opposed to various provision of the
Patent Reform Act of 2007
The Patent Reform Act of 2007 (, ) was a bill introduced in the 110th United States Congress to introduce changes in United States patent law. Democratic Congressman Howard Berman introduced the House of Representatives bill on April 18, 2007. De ...
, including its limitations for damages due to
patent infringement
Patent infringement is the commission of a prohibited act with respect to a patented invention without permission from the patent holder. Permission may typically be granted in the form of a license. The definition of patent infringement may v ...
, and the "
second window" post-grant review.
Principles
The CFCPR believes that the following principles should drive patent reform
*"Provide the
USPTO with adequate resources to assure quality examination of all
patent applications."
*"Significantly limit 'subjective elements in patent litigation. These include the 'inequitable conduct' defense to a patent's enforceability, awarding punitive damages based upon 'willful infringement', and the 'best mode requirement."
*"Enact the
NAS
Nas (born 1973) is the stage name of American rapper Nasir Jones.
Nas, NaS, or NAS may also refer to:
Aviation
* Nasair, a low-cost airline carrier and subsidiary based in Eritrea
* National Air Services, an airline in Saudi Arabia
** Nas Air ( ...
-recommended harmonizing changes to the U.S. patent laws, i.e., adopt the
first-inventor-to-file principle and eliminate the "best mode" requirement."
*"Provide an "open review" (post-grant opposition) procedure that facilitates challenging questionable patents in the USPTO."
Membership
The membership of the Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform includes nearly 50 companies from 19 different industries, including:
*
3M
*
Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. (stock symbol CAT) is an American ''Fortune'' 500 corporation and the world's largest construction-equipment manufacturer.
In 2018, Caterpillar was ranked number 65 on the ''Fortune'' 500 list and number 238 on the Global ''Fo ...
*
Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and Company is an American pharmaceutical company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with offices in 18 countries. Its products are sold in approximately 125 countries. The company was founded in 1876 by, and named after, Colonel ...
*
General Electric
General Electric Company (GE) is an American multinational conglomerate founded in 1892, and incorporated in New York state and headquartered in Boston. The company operated in sectors including healthcare, aviation, power, renewable energ ...
*
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is an American multinational corporation founded in 1886 that develops medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer packaged goods. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company i ...
*
Procter & Gamble
The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is an American multinational consumer goods corporation headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble. It specializes in a wide range of personal health/consumer hea ...
Steering committee
* Steven Miller, Procter & Gamble Vice President and General Counsel Intellectual Property
"Statement: Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform", IPFrontline, April 19, 2007
/ref>
* Gary Griswald, 3M
See also
* Coalition for Patent Fairness The Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) is an ad hoc organization of companies who are lobbying for reforms to the US patent system. In general, they believe that the United States Patent and Trademark Office is too prone to grant overly broad pate ...
who were strongly in favor of the Patent Reform Act of 2007 and its successors
References
External links
Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform web site
Lobbying organizations in the United States
Patent law organizations
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