FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:

Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770

Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766

mhaller@franchise.org

jweisbord@franchise.org


IFA STATEMENT ON LEGISLATION TO AMEND U.S PATENT SYSTEM


WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2013—International Franchise Association Vice President of Government Relations Jay Perron released the following statement on House passage of H.R. 3309, the Innovation Act, which would allow small business owners to recover legal fees and ultimately make the U.S. patent system more efficient. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).


“The International Franchise Association is pleased the House has taken the first step in amending the current patent law. The Innovation Act will clarify current patent law and reduce economic incentives for patent “trolls” bent on damaging both national brands and local small businesses with frivolous lawsuits.


“Franchise businesses are able to thrive nationwide because of the strength of their brands under which they operate. Anything that undermines the strength of these brands puts a large section of the American economy at risk. Amending the provisions for shifting legal fees is an effective way to deter patent trolls while protecting litigants who bring reasonable and legitimate patent suits.”


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About the International Franchise Association

The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising. Through its media awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the economic impact of the more than 825,000 franchise establishments, which support nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.


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