KLARQUIST NEWS
Klarquist Files Amici Brief in Supreme Court TC Heartland Case on Patent Venue Law
Klarquist recently filed an amici brief on behalf of four of the country’s most prominent financial services member organizations in a Supreme Court case involving patent venue law that will be argued this spring. The organizations are asking the Supreme Court to follow its longstanding precedent limiting where patent suits may be filed and reject the Federal Circuit’s contrary, permissive interpretation. They argue that the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the patent venue statute is governing law that must be followed and that it advances core public policies of the patent system.
The Federal Circuit’s contrary, permissive approach has led to an explosion of filings in the Eastern District of Texas, where cases are far less likely to be stayed pending Patent Office review proceedings and far less likely to lead to invalidation of improperly granted patents. Approximately 40% of patent lawsuits today are filed in the Eastern District of Texas.
The case is TC Heartland LLC d/b/a Heartland Food Products Group v. Kraft Food Groups Brand LLC. Oral argument is scheduled for March 27. The four amici are American Bankers Association, The Clearing House, Financial Services Roundtable and Consumer Bankers Association. They are represented by Klaus H. Hamm and John D. Vandenberg.
Link to the brief.