Scrutinizing Patent Assertion Entities: What Competition Enforcers are Doing

On December 10, 2014,  the AAI and CCIA hosted Scrutinizing Patent Assertion Entities:  What Competition Enforcers are Doing with special keynote address by FTC Commissioner Julie Brill

At last year’s successful event “Competition Law & Patent Assertion Entities: What Antitrust Enforcers Can Do,” FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez announced that the Federal Trade Commission would launch a comprehensive 6b Study of Patent Assertion Entities.  CCIA and AAI held the follow-up event on recent developments in this dynamic area where competition, consumer protection and intellectual property law intersect.

This year has been an eventful one for patent reform. The Supreme Court tackled low quality patents in its Alice decision. Several legislative proposals garnered significant attention and promise to feature heavily in the push for patent reform legislation next Congress. And the FTC and several state attorneys general have been using their unfair and deceptive practices authority to combat the most abusive tactics used by Patent Assertion Entities. Meanwhile, the Commission is gathering detailed information for its comprehensive 6b study.

Highlighted by opening remarks from FTC Commissioner Julie Brill, the event examined how state and federal enforcers are handling the problems and enforcement challenges posed by Patent Assertion Entities. Watch the video here.

Our panel of government enforcers, industry veterans and legal experts featured:

• Ed Black, President and CEO, Computer & Communications Industry Association
• Michael Carrier, Professor, Rutgers School of Law
• Suzanne Munck, Deputy Director and Chief Counsel for Intellectual Property, Federal Trade Commission
• Eric Stock, Antitrust Bureau Chief, Office of the Attorney General of New York State
• Sandeep Vaheesan, Special Counsel, American Antitrust Institute