Association of Press Release Distributors, LLC

There are hundreds of press release distribution companies. Most exist with little to no interaction with each other in their industry. That ends today.

Are you a press release distribution company or newswire? There are legal developments that affect you, namely the following patents:

6,370,535 (main/parent patent)

6,289,350

6,363,390

One Pending Serial Number 10/112,570

In fact, a patent infringement lawsuit has already being filed against several press release distributors regarding the 6,370,535 patent. Given the nature of this lawsuit, it is expected that additional lawsuits will be filed targeting additional press release distributors.

The venue for this lawsuit is the Eastern District of Texas. Additional information on patent litigation involving "non-practicing entities" (NPEs) can be found on Wikipedia.

The Association of Press Release Distributors, LLC wants to educate the public and fellow press release distributors of the dangers that these patents present, especially given prior art that suggests these patents were awarded while the industry was commonly using the elements and processes that make up these patents — in some cases for many months and years before the patent was even filed.

The newly-formed Association of Press Release Distributors, LLC will be fighting to invalidate these patents, targeting first the 6,370,535 parent patent. In fact, substantial prior art exists, which you can view here.

To support this effort, we will need financial support from fellow press release distributors and newswires. All contributions are not tax deductible. The Association of Press Release Distributors, LLC is not classified as lobbyist organization as it does not: make contributions to public officials, contact public officials on behalf of the association/any individual clients represented by the association, or engage in lobbying-related activities for the association/any individual clients represented by the association.

While we welcome donations of all size, we recommend a one-time founding donation of up to 1 percent of your annual revenue.

Every dollar of founding donations will be used to fund the invalidation of these patents and other threats to press release distributors. Not one cent of these donations will be used for web hosting, stamps, salaries/stipends, or legal defense of an individual member. All accounting will be open and available to all members. Modest annual dues will be created at a future date as well as nomination of officers.