Changes

According to the drafters of the PATENT Act, the proposed legislation aims to "stop abusive patent litigation practices" and prevent "bad actors," namely patent trolls, "from undermining the patent system." [http://files.bakerbotts.com/file_upload/IPReport201507-ProposedPatentReformin2015.htm#footnote2r (Baker Botts)] However, a  A 2015 [http://www.pwc.com/us/en/forensic-services/publications/assets/2015-pwc-patent-litigation-study.pdf study] from PriceWaterhouseCoopers on patent litigation shows that 2014 saw a 13 percent decrease in the amount of patent lawsuits filed, contrary to the average 20 to 30 percent increases seen since 2009. One of the major criticisms of the PATENT Act is against its "customer stay" provision. Making manufacturers instead end users responsible allows for a loophole in which many manufacturers could qualify as customers because they buy or import components of products. [http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2015/05/20/study-should-pause-patent-reform/id=57946/ {IP Watchdog)]