Washington, D.C. – Information Technology Industry Council President and CEO Dean Garfield issued the following statement in reaction to the decision to cancel the Senate Judiciary Committee markup of the Patent Transparency and Improvements Act of 2013, effectively suspending efforts to tackle patent reform:  

“Today’s decision by the Senate to delay efforts to confront patent reform is another unfortunate blow to the U.S. economy.  Abusive lawsuits continue to siphon billions of dollars out of our economy, eliminating jobs and shuttering businesses along the way. The decision is particularly disappointing as the Innovation Act passed with a strong bipartisan vote in the House, and there was the basis for a bipartisan agreement in the Senate Judiciary Committee just weeks ago.

“We urge every senator to continue to push for patent reform.  ITI will continue to work with lawmakers to pass legislation that promotes innovation, preserves justice, and creates jobs.  Further delay in stemming the tide of vicious patent litigation serves only to embolden those who abuse the system, thereby killing jobs and increasing costs for American consumers.” 

About ITI.  ITI is the premier advocacy and policy organization for the world’s leading innovation companies. ITI navigates the relationships between policymakers, companies, and non-governmental organizations, providing creative solutions that advance the development and use of technology around the world. Visit itic.org to learn more. Follow us on Twitter @ITI_TechTweets.

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