The National Grocers Association (NGA) and Food Marketing Institute (FMI) have voiced their support of patent system reform.
NGA VP of Public Affairs Greg Ferrara made the following statement upon introduction of the Innovation Act of 2013, a patent reform bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week:
“NGA commends Chairman (Bob) Goodlatte (R-Va.) and the House Judiciary Committee for their continued efforts to reform the broken patent system. The Innovation Act of 2013 is a step in the right direction to level the playing field and increase transparency for independent grocers who have increasingly become targets in frivolous patent litigation.
“NGA lauds the progress that has been made in Congress to reform the broken patent system and looks forward to working with elected officials on both sides of the aisle to ensure true patent reforms are enacted. NGA urges both chambers of Congress to swiftly pass comprehensive patent reform legislation.”
FMI Regulatory Counsel Erik Lieberman said: “This new legislation will bring greatly needed reforms to our nation’s patent system by addressing the growing problem of patent trolls. By increasing transparency, leveling the playing field in the courts and providing relief to end-users of technology, we believe this legislation, if enacted, will significantly reduce the billions of dollars of costs patent trolls impose on our economy each year. Entrepreneurs, retailers and consumers will all benefit from this important legislation.
“We commend…Rep. Bob Goodlatte…and the co-sponsors on their efforts to address the problem of patent trolls.”
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