January 15, 2015 – ARLINGTON, VA – Today, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) joined a newly formed coalition of 20 merchant and Silicon Valley groups with the intention to reform the patent system and combat abusive patent litigation that unfavorably impacts business.

 

FMI joins its industry retail partners at the National Retail Federation and Retail Industry Leaders Association, restaurant groups in addition to online search engine Google and communications firms to fight back against patent trolls. This united front sent a letter to ranking members on both sides of the Congressional Judiciary Committee today describing the supporting goals around the main objective of the coalition: “Fostering innovation and investment that benefits the entire American economy.” The letter outlines seven legislative reforms.

 

FMI Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs Jennifer Hatcher stated, “Food retailers are not alone in experiencing harassment and unlawful suits from patent trolls that are targeting end-users of widely adopted technology. FMI stands strong with its coalition partners against these meritless, abusive strains inflicted on the businesses we represent.”

 

To learn more, visit http://www.unitedforpatentreform.com/