‘Innovation Act" Reintroduced in the House

Paul Stewart, SAMCAR Government Affairs Director | March 3, 2015

On February 5, 2015, U.S. House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), re-introduced the 'Innovation Act,' (H.R. 9) the same patent reform legislation that passed in the House last year. H.R. 9, like the one introduced in 2013, builds on the reforms that were made in the America Invents Act and addresses certain abusive practices.

NAR is a member of the 'United for Patent Reform' coalition. UPR is a broad coalition of main street businesses and technology companies working to enact comprehensive patent litigation reform.

The bill would require plaintiffs to disclose who the owner of a patent is before a lawsuit is filed and demand that plaintiffs explain why they are suing a particular defendant in their court pleadings. It also requires courts to decide early on whether a patent is invalid. The aim is to discourage plaintiffs from dragging out lawsuits in an attempt to wrangle settlements. The law would also require judges to award attorneys' fees to parties who bring lawsuits "that have no reasonable basis in law and fact." The Innovation Act passed the House last year by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 325-91 but died in the Senate.

TAGGED: HR 9, Innovation Act, Patent Reform, Patents, United States House of Representatives

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Redwood City Council Unanimously Opposes Rent Control Ballot Measure

In a decisive 6-0 vote, the Redwood City Council has officially opposed the Redwood City Fair and Affordable Housing Ordinance, which will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The Council's decision follows an independent supplemental economic impact analysis that concluded the measure extends far beyond traditional rent control and could have significant unintended consequences for tenants, housing providers, affordable housing, and the City's financial stability. SAMCAR applauds the six Redwood City Councilmembers for carefully reviewing the analysis and taking a position based on the long-term interests of the entire community. We encourage Realtors, property owners, homeowners, and renters to learn more about the measure before casting their vote this November.