Click here: Stop Patent Trolls

Tell your U.S. Representative to support H.R. 9, the Innovation Act to stop patent trolls and protect the real estate industry from frivolous lawsuits.  

REALTORS® across the country receive threatening demand letters and lawsuits alleging patent infringement based on the use of common business tools such as drop down menus or search alert functions on websites and the scanner function on a copier. These patent trolls buy vague patents and use them to turn everyday business practices into potential lawsuits.

H.R. 9 is scheduled for House floor consideration next week.   Congress must pass this common-sense comprehensive patent litigation reform to protect Main Street businesses and REALTORS® from patent troll abuse.

Support H.R. 9 – The Innovation Act

Dear REALTORS,

As your Local Board of REALTORS®, we are writing to ask that you support H.R. 9, the Innovation Act scheduled for House floor consideration the week of July 21st.

REALTORS® across the country receive threatening demand letters and lawsuits alleging patent infringement based on the use of common business tools such as drop down menus or search alert functions on websites and the scanner function on a copier. These patent trolls buy vague patents and use them to turn everyday business practices into potential lawsuits.

We and other small businesses are the victims of abusive behavior at the hands of these trolls. Patent trolls are hurting our economic recovery and forcing companies to divert money that would otherwise be spent to expand our businesses. As a result, targeted companies are left with few options: settle or go through costly, lengthy litigation.

The Innovation Act is a step forward that will protect businesses large and small from frivolous patent lawsuits that are a drain on industry and a tax on innovation. We urge you to pass H.R. 9.