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NEWS FEED
Engine Statement on President Trump’s Pick for United States Patent and Trademark Office Director
Engine looks forward to working with President Trump’s for nominee Andrei Iancu for the position of the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). As a non-profit advocacy and research organization that supports startups, we understand what an important position the Director of the USPTO is to protecting the innovation ecosystem.
Modernized Trade Deals Need Pro-Startup Policies
If the U.S. is going to “modernize” its trade agreements, we need to make sure the deals take into account the startup ecosystem that makes up so much of our 21st century economy.
Standing Together to Protect CDA 230
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is a critical protection that helped the Internet become what it is today. Efforts to narrow the law’s protections for Internet platforms, even with the best intentions, are incredibly concerning to the tech and startup communities.
Engine Applauds Senators Lee and Leahy for Introduction of ECPA Modernization Act of 2017
Engine applauds Senators Lee and Leahy for their continued work on updating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). The Lee-Leahy bill will modernize the nation’s electronic privacy laws and bring protections against warrantless searches into harmony with the technological realities of today.
Engine's Statement on the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act
Efforts to roll back the critical protections for websites in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act are gravely concerning to the startup community.
Engine to Testify before House Judiciary Committee on Bad Patents
Julie will testify to the Committee on the weaknesses in the patent system and the progress that has been made to weed out low-quality patents by Congress, the courts and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Delaying International Entrepreneur Rule Will Harm Startup Investment
The Trump Administration’s decision to delay and potentially eliminate the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) is deeply troubling to the startup community.
Engine Welcomes Reintroduction of Stock Options Legislation
Engine applauds the reintroduction of the Empowering Employees through Stock Ownership (EESO) Act, bipartisan legislation that will make it easier for startup employees to exercise their stock options.
Engine Supports David Redl's Nomination to National Telecommunications and Information Administrator
Engine wishes to express its strong support for David Redl’s nomination to the position of National Telecommunications and Information (NTIA) Administrator.
Engine Supports Vishal Amin's Nomination to Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator
In a letter sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee prior to the confirmation hearing on May 24th, 2017, Engine expressed its strong support for Vishal Amin’s nomination to the position of U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator.
Engine Welcomes Supreme Court Ruling in TC Heartland Case
Today, the Supreme Court delivered a blow to patent trolls by unanimously reversing the Federal Circuit’s decision in TC Heartland v. Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC. The high court ruled that defendants in patent cases can only be sued where they are incorporated or have a regular and established place of business. The decision will make it significantly harder for patent trolls to file lawsuits in jurisdictions that patent-friendly but otherwise unrelated to the claims at issue—most notably the Eastern District of Texas, where almost forty percent of patent cases were filed last year.
Engine Responds to FCC's Efforts to Undermine Net Neutrality
Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to roll back the 2015 Open Internet Order and reverse the agency’s Title II classification of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Today’s vote initiates a public comment period of 90 days. The following statement can be attributed to Engine Executive Director Evan Engstrom.
Engine Adds Key Senior Staff Position to Growing Team
Engine welcomes new Policy Director, Rachel Wolbers.
New Documentary “The Patent Scam” Explores How Patent Trolls Inflict Harm on Small Businesses and Their Struggle to Fight Back
Today, Engine hosted Austin Meyer, the director of the new documentary “The Patent Scam,” at the Capitol Hill Visitor Center. The screening and subsequent discussion with real victims of patent litigation abuse demonstrated the extent that the U.S. patent system is failing to protect small businesses and startups from patent trolls.
Engine Statement on President Trump’s ‘Buy American, Hire American’ Executive Order
Yesterday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order reiterating the Administration’s policy to buy American and hire American. The ‘Hire American’ side of the Executive Order directs federal agencies to evaluate the various programs that allow foreign workers to enter the United States, with a particular focus on the H-1B visa program.
Engine Statement on Ninth Circuit Ruling on Immigration Ban
Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled against President Trump’s executive order banning the citizens of seven countries and refugees from entering the U.S., maintaining a lower court’s freeze on the order. As a result, immigrants and refugees who were previously barred from the country under Trump’s EO can continue to enter the U.S.
Engine Statement on House Passage of Email Privacy Act
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the widely supported, broadly bipartisan Email Privacy Act, making this the second consecutive year that this common-sense update to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) has passed the House. The bill makes a critical update to existing digital privacy laws that clarifies that law enforcement must obtain a warrant—except in certain clearly defined emergencies—before accessing an individual's electronic communications.
Engine Statement on Immigration Executive Order
The startup community is deeply troubled by the Administration’s decision to limit the movement of immigrants—including lawful visa holders—into the U.S. on the basis of religion and country of origin—a move that came with no forewarning and has engendered uncertainty for many people, including employees at America’s startups. The executive order is both morally and economically misguided, and sets a dangerous precedent that signals to the rest of the world that America is no longer open for innovation.
Engine Statement on Michelle Lee Remaining as Director of USPTO
Under Director Michelle Lee, the Patent Office has made real strides toward fixing patent quality. While much work in that area remains to be done, we are encouraged by the steps she and her team have taken and are pleased that she will remain in her role in the incoming Administration so that this important work can continue. Startups in particular rely on a well-functioning patent system, and under Director Lee's leadership, the Patent Office has welcomed the startup community to play a role in that debate. We look forward to continuing working with her to ensure that that the patent system promotes rather than hinders innovation.
Our Take on the Final International Entrepreneur Rule
On Friday, the White House released an advance copy of its final International Entrepreneur Rule, which will allow qualifying foreign entrepreneurs to build their startups in the U.S. The final rule will be published in the Federal Register today and will become effective on July 17, 2017.