#StandWithMainStreet
Main Street businesses are the backbone of our communities and the foundation for local economies and employment.
Before IPR, many businesses were forced to settle abusive patent lawsuits just to avoid the burdensome cost of litigation. Thanks to the IPR program, businesses could have the PTO assess whether that patent should have been granted. This process is not a threat to valid patents: only about 0.2 percent of active patents are reviewed. But IPR knocks out those invalid patents that otherwise would be erroneously allowed to target even more American businesses. And while Main Street businesses do not typically initiate an IPR themselves, they often benefit from IPRs initiated by their suppliers and service providers challenging patents that could – and often are – asserted directly against Main Street businesses. Thus, the review process benefits all businesses by addressing invalid patents so that they can no longer be used to threaten operating companies and take resources away from their work.
The facts show that after the IPR program was put into place, abusive patent litigation filings declined as fewer invalid patents were asserted in litigation. But unfortunately, due to a number of steps taken to weaken the IPR program and create loopholes that shield invalid patents from review, patent litigation numbers are once again on the rise. It doesn’t have to be this way. The USPTO and Congress should work to strengthen the IPR process to #StandwithMainStreet and #StopBadPatents.
Read below examples of how businesses benefit when IPR is used to correct PTO errors and fight abusive patent litigation:
Retailers, grocers and coffee shops targeted for their use of electronic gift cards.
An NPE sued several businesses, including national grocery company Albertsons, and Missouri-headquartered outdoor gear retailer Bass Pro Shops, claiming they infringed on its patent related to the use of electronic gift cards. Fortunately, an Atlanta-based financial services company who was also sued by the NPE petitioned the PTO to review the patent through its IPR program – and won. The patent was invalidated, and the Main Street businesses could once again allow their customers to give and use electronic gift cards.
Family-owned print shops targeted for use of tech that allows them to print over a network.
An NPE sued 74 businesses located in 23 states - including Alabama, Colorado, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas - for using technology that allowed them to print over a network. Many of those targeted were small, family-owned commercial printing shops, like the fourth-generation business in Nashville, Tennessee that was targeted. Luckily, several commercial printer companies used the IPR process to have the PTO review the invalid patent in question and got the patent overturned, helping to save many small businesses from having to pay a shakedown settlement or hefty litigation costs.
Thousands of small businesses threatened over scan-to-email technology.
Technology that allows businesses to scan documents directly to an email recipient saves countless hours. Thousands of businesses throughout the country rely on this technology daily, but all were threatened when a NPE attempted to use a bad patent to collect usage fees. The scanner manufacturers acted quickly to use the IPR process to invalidate the bad patent and restore their customers' access to their technology free of fear.
Retail stores targeted for website design templates.
An NPE targeted more than 40 companies, including popular retailers and pharmacies, for their use of a common website design template that made it easier for customers to navigate and shop online. Fortunately, a web services provider filed a petition against the patent in question through the IPR system. The PTO corrected its error in granting the patent and invalidated it, protecting customer access to information through reliable websites.
Businesses across sectors targeted over web page content.
From craft breweries to news outlets, businesses across multiple sectors were all targeted by the same patent troll seeking to take advantage of a patent for web content creation technology. The IPR process, initiated by an information technology company, revoked the invalid patent and allowed these community staples to continue their work rather than get tied up in a frivolous lawsuit.
Wine merchant, travel group and more targeted over email outreach technology.
Businesses of all sizes rely on email outreach to keep customers engaged and informed. Taking advantage of this fact, an NPE used a bad patent to target several businesses for using a common email marketing software. Fortunately, a marketing technology provider petitioned for review of the patent. Its invalidation prevented costly and unnecessary litigation.
Shipping, beauty and fashion companies all targeted for use of software to manage work assignments.
Many companies use software to keep track of various work projects throughout their organizations. For shipping and logistics companies, this technology is vital to ensure customers receive their goods on time. A NPE using a bad patent went after users of this software, threatening businesses that many Americans rely on. Luckily, a large shipping company challenged the patent through the IPR process. The patent was overturned, stopping potentially costly litigation and saving both the businesses and their customers from headaches.
Popular retailers and restaurants targeted over contact center technology.
Over 30 companies – including restaurants, food manufacturers, car companies, airlines, pharmacies and even a Native American casino in Connecticut – were sued by an NPE for their use of common contact center technology, which is designed to make customer experiences easier. Thanks to the IPR process initiated by the call center software provider, this patent was reviewed and invalidated, ensuring these companies were able to avoid unnecessary and crippling litigation costs.
Realtors targeted for using tools to help inform homebuyers.
Two Texas-based real estate companies were sued by a patent troll for giving prospective homebuyers access to an easy-to-use tool to help them learn more about the areas in which they were considering buying homes. While these types of tools are valuable to consumers, patent trolls targeted the realtors who used them with costly lawsuits. The Texas Association of REALTORSⓇ used the IPR system to stand up to the patent troll on its members’ behalf, and prevailed when the bad patent was overturned.