{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-votes-protect-small-businesses%E2%80%99-job-creating-innovation", "Larsen Votes to Protect Small Businesses\u2019 Job-Creating Innovation", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted to pass the Innovation Act, a bill that would crack down on entities that abuse the patent system to make money from other people\u2019s innovations. These patent assertion entities\u2014often referred to as patent trolls\u2014cost American businesses an estimated $29 billion a year.\n\u201cSmall businesses are a key engine of job growth and innovation for our economy,\u201d Larsen said. \u201cToo often small businesses are slammed with false patent infringement claims, which cost millions to litigate in court. Many small businesses feel they have no choice but to pay licensing fees for their own innovations because they cannot afford to defend themselves in court.\n\u201cI voted for the Innovation Act because it will increase transparency in patent infringement cases and let the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office help small businesses protect their property. This bill will help small businesses continue to innovate, creating new products and new jobs.\u201d\nTo learn more about the Innovation Act, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-votes-protect-small-businesses%E2%80%99-job-creating-innovation"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4929990284144878, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}