Massachusetts Governor Vetoes Patent Provisions in Larger Bill

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) killed part of a $1.1 billion economic development bill that attempted to curb frivolous patent infringement claims, acceding to business concerns.

Baker (R) told the state legislature in an Aug. 10 letter that he signed the legislation$1.1 billion economic development but used his line-item veto power to strike out language regarding so-called bad- faith patent infringement claims. The language was contained in an amendment (H.4868) to the bill (H.4732).

The language “creates a new cause of action against patent owners in a manner that is not narrowly tailored and is likely ...