Block, in a statement, said the settlement is a good deal both for its shareholders and its refund anticipation loan customers, because it "will include all R.A.L. customers, end all current R.A.L. litigation and discourage future litigation".
Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (CrunchGov Grade: C), who helps set the congressional technology agenda, said he wants "to focus on reforms to discourage frivolous patent litigation and keep U.S. patent laws up to date".
In a laudable attempt to discourage abusive NPE litigation, the act increases costs for everyone and ties the hands of the judges who are at the front lines of the problem.
The Innovation Act addresses several issues that will discourage abusive patent litigation and deter patent trolls.
The possibility of perpetual litigation could discourage colleges and universities from taking race into account not only to promote a diverse learning environment but also to compensate for the effects of racial discrimination and educational inequality.
Palin's attorney, John Tiemessen, said in an email Wednesday that he respects Burgess' decision that Thoma's claim "did not meet the technical definition of 'wholly without merit.' We regret that there is not a stronger mechanism under Federal Law to discourage frivolous harassing recreational litigation against elected officials or former elected officials," he said.
Because of special rules aimed at discouraging Year 2000 litigation passed last year by Congress, lawyers say it will be spring at the earliest before lawsuits emerge involving the Cybercash breakdowns or any others.
The majority's decision will discourage the settlement of patent litigation, the justices said.
Concerns about possible litigation over future discharges could also discourage employers from taking a chance on minority job applicants in the first place.
While the changes would leave the state's role in financing the defense in criminal cases largely untouched, Mr. Clarke said, the government was concentrating on the costs of state-backed civil litigation and family legal disputes to "discourage people from resorting to lawyers whenever they face a problem".
