HP Drops Patent Group Over Damages Spat
Computer giant Hewlett-Packard has pulled out of the Coalition for Patent Fairness over concerns that legislation currently moving through Congress does not go far enough to curb what some high-tech firms believe are excessive damages in patent infringement lawsuits. HP, which was a prominent member of the ad hoc group, is still very supportive of patent reform and will continue to lobby for strong damages language, sources familiar with the issue told Tech Daily Dose.
The so-called "gatekeeper" compromise struck by Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy and Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Arlen Specter, D-Pa., helped ensure the bill's passage out of committee in April but if it were to become law, HP believes it would be "a huge missed opportunity," the source said. Leahy and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are working to bring the bill to the floor before the end of the year. The House Judiciary Committee has not yet moved forward on its bill and, as introduced, retains the more controversial damages language.
Industry groups like CPF, which span multiple years and sessions of Congress, gain and lose members due to variations in strategy, individual companies' budget priorities and other reasons. Amazon.com, Time Warner, Visa and Verizon were members of CPF at one point but are no longer listed on the group's Web site. Google was not an original member of the coalition but has since signed up.
For its part CPF wants "the strongest possible provisions on all elements," including damages, a spokesman told CongressDaily last week.
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