Legis Daily

CLEAR Act

USA119th CongressHR-7140| House 
| Updated: 1/16/2026
Laurel M. Lee

Laurel M. Lee

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (1)
Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislative proposal, titled the Customer Legal Ease and Relief Act or the CLEAR Act, seeks to shield retailers and end users from patent infringement litigation. It establishes a mechanism for courts to grant a stay in civil actions brought against these parties, provided certain conditions are met. A primary condition is that the manufacturer of the alleged infringing product, referred to as the "accused instrumentality," is already a party to a separate or ongoing action involving the same patent and product. To qualify for this stay, the retailer or end user must not have manufactured, assembled, or transformed the accused product themselves. They must also agree to waive certain defenses and be bound by any final judgment or injunction issued against the manufacturer in the related action. The court retains discretion to lift the stay if the manufacturer cannot satisfy a damages judgment, and may require the retailer or end user to post a bond or place funds in escrow to cover potential damages. Motions for a stay must be filed within specific timeframes, generally within six months of certain triggering events.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-842
CLEAR Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-7178
CLEAR Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6562
CLEAR Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2690
CLEAR Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10211
CLEAR Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3789
CLEAR Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3182
CLEAR Act
Jan 16, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-114
Introduced in Senate
Jan 16, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 16, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-842
    CLEAR Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-7178
    CLEAR Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6562
    CLEAR Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2690
    CLEAR Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10211
    CLEAR Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3789
    CLEAR Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3182
    CLEAR Act


  • January 16, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-114
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 16, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 16, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Commerce

CLEAR Act

USA119th CongressHR-7140| House 
| Updated: 1/16/2026
This legislative proposal, titled the Customer Legal Ease and Relief Act or the CLEAR Act, seeks to shield retailers and end users from patent infringement litigation. It establishes a mechanism for courts to grant a stay in civil actions brought against these parties, provided certain conditions are met. A primary condition is that the manufacturer of the alleged infringing product, referred to as the "accused instrumentality," is already a party to a separate or ongoing action involving the same patent and product. To qualify for this stay, the retailer or end user must not have manufactured, assembled, or transformed the accused product themselves. They must also agree to waive certain defenses and be bound by any final judgment or injunction issued against the manufacturer in the related action. The court retains discretion to lift the stay if the manufacturer cannot satisfy a damages judgment, and may require the retailer or end user to post a bond or place funds in escrow to cover potential damages. Motions for a stay must be filed within specific timeframes, generally within six months of certain triggering events.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-842
CLEAR Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-7178
CLEAR Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6562
CLEAR Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2690
CLEAR Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10211
CLEAR Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3789
CLEAR Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3182
CLEAR Act
Jan 16, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-114
Introduced in Senate
Jan 16, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 16, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-842
    CLEAR Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-7178
    CLEAR Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6562
    CLEAR Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2690
    CLEAR Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10211
    CLEAR Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3789
    CLEAR Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3182
    CLEAR Act


  • January 16, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-114
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 16, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 16, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Laurel M. Lee

Laurel M. Lee

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (1)
Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Commerce

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted