CLEAR Act

This bill changes federal patent law so that, in a patent infringement lawsuit, a court must pause (stay) the part of the case against a retailer or end user of an accused product if the product's manufacturer is a party to that case or a related case. To get the pause, the retailer or end user must not make or modify the product and must agree to be bound by the outcome and any injunction in the manufacturer's case. The pause would end if it is shown that the manufacturer cannot pay a damages judgment, and the court could require the retailer or end user to post a bond or place funds in escrow. The request for a pause must be filed within set time limits, and the rules would apply to lawsuits served on or after the date the bill becomes law.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Laurel M. Lee Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors