Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Bill Would Force Patent Trolls To Pay Defendants' Legal Bills

Posted by samzenpus on from the pay-up-sucker dept.

First time accepted submitter TrueSatan writes "With support from the EFF's Defend Freedom Project two Republican congressmen seek to introduce a bill called the 'Shield Act' which, if passed, would enable judges to award costs to defendants if they are found to be the victims of frivolous patent litigation. From the article: 'A new bill introduced in the House of Representatives attempts to deter frivolous patent litigation by forcing unsuccessful patent plaintiffs to cover defendants' legal costs. Introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and co-sponsored by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), the Saving High-Tech Innovators from Egregious Legal Disputes (SHIELD) Act is limited to patents related to computer hardware and software.'"

9 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. SHIELD? by KazW · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think we can make a good guess about which movies these congressmen may have watched recently...

    --
    Geeks don't grock information, they grep it.
  2. Re:Rep. != Republican by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Shhhhh... Don't tell anyone. We are hoping that nobody notices.

  3. Re:Rep. != Republican by Therad · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't worry citizen, the Ministry of Truth will soon fix this incorrect article..

  4. Re:Rep. != Republican by f3rret · · Score: 3, Funny

    Reptile obviously, turns out David Icke was right after all, didn't you see the article on slashdot a few days ago?

    You might have missed it though, the reptiles didn't let it stay up for long.

    --
    Admit nothing. Deny Everything. Make Counter-accusations.
  5. I HAVE A GREAT IDEA!! by f3rret · · Score: 3, Funny

    Patent frivolous patent lawsuits and sue EVERYONE!

    --
    Admit nothing. Deny Everything. Make Counter-accusations.
  6. Re:Does this include Microsoft? by evilRhino · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's fallacious to argue that money has similar opportunity costs in scale. $40 million could bribe a congressman to the tune of billions, whereas there is almost no legal opportunity to increase $200 to that degree.

  7. Re:Rep. != Republican by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't worry citizen, the Ministry of Truth will soon fix this correct article..

  8. Re:Rep. != Republican by 228e2 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't worry citizen, the Ministry of Love will soon fix this incorrect citizen..

    --
    Since when does being a Socialist mean 'someone who has a different opinion than me'?
  9. Re:Rep. != Republican by Greyfox · · Score: 5, Funny

    No one particularly likes the Reptiles, but they keep voting for them. If you don't, the wrong lizard might get in...

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?