More Companies Asking For Action on Patent Trolls

Patent trolls have become so prevalent that even companies with few or no patents are now demanding change, reports the Washington Post:

Industry groups that signed the letter say they were motivated to do so by a dramatic increase in the frequency of frivolous patent lawsuits. “We are now seeing [real estate] brokers receive demand letters for use of common technologies like scanner-copiers and website alert technologies,” says Gary Thomas, president of the National Association of Realtors.

A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday on a measure that would make it more difficult to file abusive patent lawsuits. The bill was introduced by House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, who said it “strikes the right balance, pushing for robust legal reform measures while protecting property rights.”