Smith Distributing Company, Inc. entered into an agreement with the U.S. [read post]

  Specifically, in view of the high costs of litigation, there was pressure from electronics companies to reduce the uncertainties of litigation by clarifying the law in regards to willful infringement and inequitable conduct, eliminating “secret” prior art, and retaining the prior user defense.[1] Additional issues included ensuring patent quality and reducing pendency by increasing third party participation in the issuance of patents, and increasing funding for the United… [read post]