If there’s one constant in the Trump administration’s policy, it’s championing American companies over foreign competitors. So why is the administration arguing for a rule that would favor foreign companies over American ones?

In WesternGeco v. ION Geophysical, the Supreme Court is considering whether violations of U.S. patents can lead to damages awards across the globe. Traditionally, sovereign power has been closely tied to patents — the exclusive right for new inventions was historically granted in “letters patent” sealed by the Crown. As a result, the law has always been that patent enforcement stops at the national border; acts inside the United States can violate a patent, but acts abroad cannot.

[Read the rest of the op-ed over at The Hill].

 

Image credit: Tashatuvango

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