House passage of the Innovation Act (H.R. 3309), known as the Patent Troll bill, won the approval of three travel industry associations who see the legislation as a way to create jobs. Roger Dow, president and CEO, U.S. Travel Association; Steve Shur, president, Travel Technology Association; and Zane Kerby, president and CEO, American Society of Travel Agents, issued a statement welcoming the legislation.
"We are grateful to lawmakers of both parties for helping to curtail flagrant abuse of the legal system by a few unscrupulous individuals out to make a quick buck at the expense of entrepreneurs and consumers. Baseless, nuisance lawsuits have for too long been an unnecessary cost of doing business, and ultimately have only hindered our industrys ability to create jobs and pass value on to the customers we are proud to serve, " the groups said.
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The bill aced by 329 to 91 opposed.
"Travel-related spending accounts for one out of every eight American jobs, and travel has out-grown almost every other economic sector since the recession. We are excited to see how we can build on our record of job creation in the wake of todays vote, which provides welcome relief from a predatory practice that has been a drag on the economic recovery," according to the groups.
Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) , the bill's sponsor, commented: "We have seen the terrible effects of patent trolls and how their fabricated claims of intellectual property can threaten hard-working American businesses. We have heard accounts of start-ups, small businesses and companies in our home states of Virginia and Utah and across the United States that have been forced to shut down or reduce their businesses because of these abuses."
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"This cycle is an unnecessary strain on our nation’s innovators. Resources set aside for research and development are wasted on needless patent lawsuits and litigation expenses instead of the next life-improving or life-saving invention. Small businesses are closing up shop, innovators are afraid to chase their next idea, and businesses face ever-increasing costs for lawyers and unnecessary settlements," Goodlatte said.
The legislation requires Senate approval.
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