WASHINGTON, April 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following the strong vote by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee today in favor of S. 515, the "Patent Reform Act of 2009," the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal association of the software and digital content industries, issued the following statement:

"SIIA congratulates the Senate Judiciary Committee for today's action to pass the Patent Reform Act of 2009. This is significant progress toward maintaining America's global competitiveness, creating jobs here at home, and modernizing the U.S. patent system.

"SIIA wants to especially thank Chairman Leahy for his steadfast leadership and persistent efforts to move this bill early in this Session. We also want to thank Senators Specter, Hatch and Feinstein for their efforts to build consensus for this bill.

"SIIA is especially pleased that the bill makes changes that begin to clarify the vague and uncertain rules for calculating damages, and to establish procedures for enhancing the quality of patents issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

"We know that there will be efforts to erode the progress that has been made, and we strongly urge the sponsors of the bill to fight such efforts.

"At the same time, SIIA acknowledges the views of Chairman Leahy that much more can be done to improve this important bill. SIIA looks forward to continuing to work with the bill sponsors to improve key areas of the legislation, including strengthening the clarity on how damages are calculated, improving the provisions on fair compensation to inventors for actual harm, ensuring PTO's ability to review patents that may be improperly granted, and generally to ensure that the abuses of the litigation practices involving patents are foreclosed.

"SIIA also strongly encourages leadership of both parties to schedule time for S. 515 to come to the floor of the Senate as soon as possible."

About SIIA

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industries. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection for more than 500 leading software and information companies. As a leader in the Government Affairs arena, SIIA works to promote a legal, regulatory and policy environment that promotes the digital economy. For further information, visit www.siia.net.

CONTACT: Eileen Bramlet, Communications Division, 202-789-4469, Ebramlet@siia.net; or Mark Bohannon, General Counsel & SVP, 202-789-4471, Mbohannon@siia.net, both of SIIA; PR Firm Contact: Brian Kaminski, 202-429-4942, Briankaminski@rationalpr.com

SOURCE Software & Information Industry Association

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.siia.net