ICYMI - Issa, Johnson Propose Legislation to Improve the U.S. Patent Code, Waive Mandatory Fines

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, has introduced H.R. 7803, new legislation to make substantive amendments to the U.S. patent code. Subcommittee Ranking Member Hank Johnson (GA-04) joined as cosponsor.

“H.R. 7803 is a solid step towards advancing fairness in our patent system by adding a new flexibility to waive fines and therefore empower innovators and entrepreneurs.” said Rep. Issa.

Specifically, the bill amends:

• section 41(j), by adding before “be subject” the following: “, unless the entity shows that the assertion was made in good faith,”; and
• in section 123(f), by adding before “be subject” the following: “, unless the entity shows that the certification was made in good faith,”.

The bill text can be found here.