SB498: Bill Text

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB498,1 Section 1. 100.197 of the statutes is created to read:

SB498,2,2 100.197 Patent notifications. (1) Definitions. In this section:

SB498,2,5 (a) "Patent notification" means a letter, e-mail, or other written communication attempting in any manner to enforce or assert rights in connection with a patent or pending patent.

SB498,2,7 (b) "Target" means a person who meets at least one of the conditions described in s. 801.05 (1) (b), (c), and (d) and satisfies at least one of the following:

SB498,2,8 1. The person has received a patent notification.

SB498,2,10 2. One or more of the person's customers has received a patent notification concerning a product, service, process, or technology of the person.

SB498,2,11 (2) Patent notification requirements.

SB498,2,12 (a) A patent notification shall contain all of the following:

SB498,3,2 1. The number of each patent or patent application that is the subject of the patent notification.

SB498,3,3 2. A physical or electronic copy of each patent or pending patent.

SB498,3,5 3. The name and physical address of the owner of each patent or pending patent and all other persons having a right to enforce the patent or pending patent.

SB498,3,8 4. An identification of each claim of each patent or pending patent being asserted and the target's product, service, process, or technology to which that claim relates.

SB498,3,11 5. Factual allegations and an analysis setting forth in detail the person's theory of each claim identified under subd. 4. and how that claim relates to the target's product, service, process, or technology.

SB498,3,14 6. An identification of each pending or completed court or administrative proceeding, including any proceeding before the U.S. patent and trademark office, concerning each patent or pending patent.

SB498,3,16 (b) A patent notification may not contain false, misleading, or deceptive information.

SB498,3,19 (c) If a patent notification lacks any of the information required under par. (a), the person may provide that information to the target within 30 days after the date on which the target notifies the person that the patent notification is incomplete.

SB498,3,21 (3) Enforcement and remedies. (a) 1. The department or the attorney general may investigate an alleged violation of this section.

SB498,4,2 2. The attorney general may commence an action in the name of the state to restrain by temporary or permanent injunction a violation of this section. Before entry of final judgment in an action commenced under this subdivision, the court may make any necessary orders to restore to any person any pecuniary loss the person has suffered because of the violation.

SB498,4,5 3. The attorney general may commence an action in the name of the state to recover a forfeiture to the state of not more than $50,000 for each violation of this section.

SB498,4,7 (b) A target or other person aggrieved because of a violation of this section may commence an action for the following:

SB498,4,8 1. A temporary or permanent injunction restraining a violation of this section.

SB498,4,9 2. An appropriate award of damages.

SB498,4,11 3. The person's costs and, notwithstanding the limitations under s. 814.04 (1), reasonable attorney fees.

SB498,4,14 4. An award of punitive damages not to exceed $50,000 for each violation or 3 times the aggregate amount awarded for all violations under subds. 2. and 3., whichever is greater.

SB498,4,15 (c) Each patent notification is a separate violation.

SB498,4,18 (5) No limitation of rights and remedies under other law. Nothing in this section may be construed to limit rights and remedies available to the state or any person under any other law.

SB498,2 Section 2. Initial applicability.

SB498,4,23 (1) This act first applies to a patent notification, as defined in section 100.197 (1) (a) of the statutes, as created by this act, received by a target, as defined in section 100.197 (1) (b) of the statutes, as created by this act, or a customer of the target on the effective date of this act.

SB498,4,24 (End)