James L. Howard to Support the Patent Quality Initiative

The Patent Quality Initiative (PQI), an intellectual property education, information and advocacy effort by Askeladden L.L.C. that seeks to improve innovation in financial services and other industries, announced today that James L. Howard, Vice President and Associate General Counsel of The Clearing House Payments Company, the parent company of Askeladden, will be supporting PQI’s efforts.

“We’re delighted to have attracted a specialist with Jim’s broad experience and high motivation,” said Sean Reilly, General Counsel of Askeladden L.L.C. “His success in patent litigation and prosecution in conjunction with his banking experience will contribute tangibly to our goal of improving patent quality and innovation in financial services.”

Mr. Howard will focus on supporting PQI’s activities, including filing Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs), friends of the court briefs and educational outreach.

Previously, Mr. Howard was a patent attorney with Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP and served as outside counsel to a number of banks in patent litigation matters. He has particular expertise in conducting non-infringement analyses, developing invalidity strategies, and handling various other aspects of representing clients in patent litigation.

In addition to clients in the banking industry, Mr. Howard has represented diverse clients in patent litigation matters involving a wide variety of technologies including bank-related payment systems, telecommunications, networking, wireless systems, and operating systems. He has prepared strategies regarding resolution of patent matters, including litigation defenses, IPRs, reexaminations, and developed invalidity strategies focusing on prior-art references and systems, and non-patentable subject-matter defenses.

“Supporting PQI is an exciting opportunity for me, and its impact may reach far beyond the financial services industry,” said Mr. Howard. “I welcome the opportunity to improve the patent landscape by addressing dubious patenting conduct in the near-term and by facilitating education to improve future patent quality in support of innovation.”

In October, PQI, through Askeladden, L.L.C., filed nine IPRs relating to five patents held by two non-practicing entities. PQI also filed an amicus curiae or friend of the court brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the Intellectual Ventures (IV) v. Capital One case.

About Patent Quality Initiative

The Patent Quality Initiative, under Askeladden L.L.C., seeks to educate, inform and advocate to improve the understanding, use and reliability of patents in financial services and other industries. PQI strives to promote better patents and patent holder behaviors by regularly filing amicus briefs, Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs) and engaging in educational activities. One of PQI’s goals is to discourage the assertion of patents that were granted but are invalid. Please visit www.patentqualityinitiative.com.