summary
Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
113th Congress
Bill Summary
Patent Litigation and Innovation Act of 2013 - Directs a party alleging infringement in a civil action arising under any Act of Congress relating to patents to include in the court pleadings: an identification of each patent and claim allegedly infringed as well as the accused apparatus, product, feature, device, method, system, process, function, act, service, or other instrumentality (referred to as an "accused instrumentality") alleged to infringe any such claim; an identification of the name or model number of accused instrumentalities that allegedly result in the practice of a claimed invention; for each accused instrumentality, an explanation of where each element of each asserted claim identified is found within the accused instrumentality, whether each such element is infringed literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, and how the terms in each asserted claim correspond to the functionality of the accused instrumentality; for each claim alleged to have been infringed indirectly, a description of the direct infringement, any person alleged to be a direct infringer known to the party alleging infringement, and the acts of the alleged indirect infringer that contribute to or are inducing the direct infringement; a description of the right of the party alleging infringement to assert each identified patent and claim; the principal business of the party alleging infringement; and the identity of any person other than the party alleging infringement, known to the party alleging infringement, who: (1) owns or co-owns an identified patent or is the assignee of, or an exclusive licensee to, such patent; or (2) has a legal or financial right to enforce an identified patent. Sets forth procedures with respect to the joinder of parties, stays of action against secondary parties (parties accused of infringing a patent in dispute based on the use, distribution, resale, or consumption of a product or process by a primary party), and stays of discovery until the court has ruled on any motions to dismiss or transfer venue. Permits the court to expand discovery in extraordinary circumstances. Directs the court, upon final adjudication, to include in the record specific findings on the compliance by each party and attorney with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure addressing proper representations to the court, including findings that motions and pleading were not presented to harass, delay, or increase litigation costs and that claims were nonfrivolous and based on evidentiary support. Authorizes sanctions for: (1) a willful failure to preserve evidence during a stay of discovery, and (2) a violation of the representation to the court rules.
AI Summary
This bill, the Patent Litigation and Innovation Act of 2013, aims to streamline patent infringement lawsuits by imposing stricter pleading requirements, establishing procedures for joining interested parties, and allowing for stays of action and discovery. Specifically, it mandates that parties alleging patent infringement must provide detailed information in their initial court filings, including identifying the specific patents and claims infringed, the accused products or methods, and how each element of the claim is found within the accused instrumentality. The bill also requires disclosure of the business of the party alleging infringement and any individuals or entities with a financial interest in the patent. It introduces provisions for joining "interested parties" (those with a financial stake in the patent beyond legal representation) and allows for stays of action against "secondary parties" (those accused of infringement based on the use or distribution of a product by a primary party) if certain conditions are met. Furthermore, discovery in patent cases would generally be stayed until the court rules on motions to dismiss or transfer venue, with exceptions for extraordinary circumstances. Finally, the bill mandates court findings on parties' compliance with rules regarding proper representations to the court and authorizes sanctions for willful failure to preserve evidence during a discovery stay or for violations of these representations, aiming to prevent frivolous lawsuits and reduce litigation costs.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. (on 09/13/2013)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2639/all-info |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr2639ih/pdf/BILLS-113hr2639ih.pdf |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr2639ih/pdf/BILLS-113hr2639ih.pdf.pdf |
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