Bill on Patent “Trolls” Seen Likely to Pass House
Supporters are confident that legislation designed to cut down on abusive patent lawsuits will pass a House vote this week, despite late objections from several groups on the right.
The Innovation Act from House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R., Va.) is aimed at discouraging patent holders from filing frivolous lawsuits in hopes of extracting a settlement. The bill would give judges more discretion to limit discovery or award legal fees when a lawsuit fails to prove infringement.