AFL-CIO Backs Patent Deal
The AFL-CIO has come out in support of a compromise version of patent overhaul legislation unveiled this month by Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy and ranking member Jeff Sessions, CongressDaily reported.
In a letter Thursday to Leahy and Sessions, the AFL-CIO said it has been concerned with proposals to overhaul the patent system that it said would have reduced damages for infringed patents, made changes to post-grant review procedures that would have undermined confidence in patent validity, and required the publication of pending patents. "It was our view that those changes proposed in these areas could inhibit domestic investment, jeopardize innovation and threaten the jobs of our members," AFL-CIO's Director of Government Affairs William Samuel wrote.
He noted that the changes included in the compromise, which will be offered as a manager's amendment when the bill goes to the floor, "address in large measure these concerns and has our support," he said. Samuel added that much progress has been made in the compromise in "balancing differing interests on a very difficult issue." To read more, click here. (Subscription required)
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