Patent-Licensing Entities Targeted in Trade Agency Legislation

Companies that purchase patents and generate revenue through licenses and litigation would face new restrictions on using an administrative process to block imports that violate US intellectual property rights, under bipartisan legislation introduced in the House.

The “Advancing America’s Interests Act,” from Reps. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) and Don Beyer (D-Va.), aims to help protect the International Trade Commission “from being misused by patent-licensing entities” that buy patents “with the intention of extracting profits or stifling competition,” according to a press release.

“This legislation makes needed reforms to the ITC that ultimately help protect U.S. industries, workers, and ...