Open Letter to Sen. Tester and Sen. Daines – Federal Patent Reform Legislation is Essential for the Future of Tech Companies in Montana and Nationwide

Senator Tester and Senator Daines,

As an entrepreneur and the founder of Montana Associated Technology Roundtables, I work directly with many startups and business owners. That’s why I’m hoping you’ll support and act that protects Montana business owners from patent trolls, also known as "Patent Assertion Entities." Patent trolls threaten the success of early stage companies because they can drag them to out of state courts friendly to their frivolous claims. Any new patent reform legislation should address this major concern.

My organization, MATR, provides networking and information opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors and other professionals in Montana and the Inland Northwest Region. I share your commitment to growing Montana’s economy, which is why I believe Congress must act to pass meaningful patent reform legislation.

Patent litigation rates have skyrocketed over the past decade, even setting a record in 2015 for number of lawsuits filed. Small businesses can spend millions of dollars on the litigation process, money that would be better spent creating jobs to create and promote new products. Trolls have found the Eastern District of Texas to have rules that are particularly friendly to trolls, and last year, nearly half of all troll lawsuits were filed in this district.

It’s essential to me that any patent reform legislation include language preventing patent trolls from forcing litigation across state lines. If you troll someone in Missoula, you should have to face them in Missoula, not some town in Texas.

Thank you for your service to our state. I appreciate anything you can do to ensure a venue provision is added to any patent reform legislation.

Sincerely,

Russ Fletcher

Montana Associated Technology Roundtable

"The State with the Best Education Wins!"

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I would encourage anyone concerned with this legislation to send a letter or email to:

Honorable US Senator Jon Tester

311 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Sent via email to [email protected]

Honorable US Senator Steve Daines

320 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Sent via email to [email protected]