Some trade groups coalesced in opposition to Philip...

Some trade groups coalesced in opposition to Philip Johnson, the presumptive nominee to head the Patent and Trademark Office, in statements Monday. Computer and Communications Industry Association President Ed Black called Johnson, chief intellectual property counsel for pharmaceutical and medical device company Johnson & Johnson, “a candidate who is not clearly committed to advancing the administration’s long held position that the patent system needs reform.” In the recent push -- now on hiatus -- to get patent legislation through Congress, technology and pharmaceutical groups often clashed (CD May 22 p11). “Such a move could undermine the public’s perception of the Administration’s commitment to addressing the anti-innovation aspects of our patent system, especially as it relates to the tech industry,” Black said. The Main Street Patent Coalition (MSPC) -- which includes trade groups from the retail, advertising and financial industries -- also expressed concern (http://bit.ly/TzZ4mu), saying Johnson isn’t committed to passing legislation to curb “patent trolls” -- entities that enforce at-times broad patents and often don’t produce any products. “American business owners remain vulnerable to patent troll lawsuits, and now one of the most prominent opponents of reform has been appointed to be the umpire, calling balls and strikes for [PTO],” said Michael Meehan, MSPC manager. “Mr. Johnson spent years trying to keep patent trolls in business by blocking legislative efforts so we cannot expect him to make fair calls.” Some patent lawyers have supported Johnson’s potential nomination to the post (CD July 1 p8). PTO didn’t comment.