Eight companies joined the Application Developers Alliance, the...

Eight companies joined the Application Developers Alliance, the industry group said in a Monday release (http://bit.ly/1nqELlm). The companies -- including ridesharing company Lyft and comparison engine FindTheBest -- are joining to advocate for issues such as consumer privacy, software patents and reducing ridesharing regulations, the alliance said. FindTheBest Director of Operations Danny Seigle said his company is hoping by joining the alliance to “take a stance against patent trolls that attack startups and small businesses.” “As a leading voice on patent reform issues, the Alliance has brought us to Washington to testify on the impact of patent troll abuse on behalf of innovators across the globe,” he said. Lyft Vice President-Government Relations David Estrada said “this partnership will be invaluable as peer-to-peer transportation continues to face challenges from city and state leaders across the country who are more concerned with protecting entrenched interests than furthering public safety through technology.” In total, the alliance has more than 175 member companies, it said.