Microsoft Advocates for Patent Reform

Grok Headline matches for Microsoft Advocates for Patent Reform

Microsoft Calls for Patent Law Reform

Microsoft Calls for Patent Law Reform 03/14/2005 04:42 PM
Critics of the United States patent system have found an unforeseen ally: Microsoft. During his keynote speech at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith proposed a series of reforms to correct flaws in the US patent system

Reform Advocates in China Hope for a
Birthday Present

Reform Advocates in China Hope for a
Birthday Present 08/20/2004 08:11 PM
The Communist Party is using the 100th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping's birthday to emphasize the urgency of overhauling the one-party political system.

Chinese Advocates of Reform Seek Help
From Deng's Spirit

Chinese Advocates of Reform Seek Help
From Deng's Spirit 08/20/2004 11:43 PM
China's retired elders are using the 100th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping's birthday to emphasize the urgency of political reform.

Intel reform advocates support Goss
nomination

Intel reform advocates support Goss
nomination 08/12/2004 12:55 PM
Federal Times Aug 12 2004 5:01PM GMT

Patent Reform?

Patent Reform? 06/05/2005 11:19 PM

I was reading Business Week and they had a little commercial section with ads from law firms. A couple of them were intellectual-property specialists and I snarled internally; whatever you think about patent law, as a longtime businessman I’m pretty convinced that the IP law profession, while it contains many good and intelligent people, is collectively a giant leech sucking money and time out of the community of innovators. Having said that, two of the lawyers’ blurbs jumped out at me; both about proposed US legislation which would institute a new process, within the PTO as opposed to the courts, for a quick challenge to the validity of a patent. This is important, because today, defending yourself against patent-infringement litigation is insanely expensive, $1M and up, way up. This is why most companies, in particular small companies, roll over and settle quickly when they get hit with this kind of lawsuit, no matter how dopey the patent is. Here are the two reports: Defending Against Patent Greenmail (which begins Patent “trolls” are currently the subject of much discussion...; most IP specialists don’t like to admit that patent trolls exist, but they do) and New USPTO Post-Grant Patent Opposition Legislation on Horizon. I think the high-tech business community ought to get behind this legislation, big-time. Everyone except the patent trolls.

Patent Reform

Patent Reform 04/11/2005 08:52 AM
Steve Lohr: I.B.M. Hopes to Profit by Making Patents Available Free

FTC calls for US patent reform

FTC calls for US patent reform 10/30/2003 12:36 PM
More hurdles, less backlog

More Calls For Patent Reform

More Calls For Patent Reform 04/28/2004 01:12 PM
Yet another study has come out pointing out all of the well known problems with the patent system and suggesting it's about time something was done to fix it. They suggest that there need to be more patent examiners, there needs to be a better process for contesting patents, and examiners need to reject more "obvious" patents. Of course, as another article about the patent system makes clear, the government sees the patent office more as a revenue generator rather than as a force for innovation. As such, they're not that interested in either spending more on it or making it harder to receive patents. As far as they're concerned, the more patents granted means more people will apply, and more funds will go into the patent office coffers - which can then be raided to pay off other government bills.

A New Hope for Patent Reform

A New Hope for Patent Reform 09/20/2004 07:05 PM
Electronic Frontier Foundations Sep 20 2004 11:35PM GMT

IBM calls for patent reform

IBM calls for patent reform 04/10/2005 09:52 PM
ZDNet Australia Apr 11 2005 12:54AM GMT

Patent Reform In The Wrong Direction

Patent Reform In The Wrong Direction 04/20/2004 11:18 AM
Someone who prefers to remain anonymous writes "This panel seeks to reform patents by issuing the patent to the first person who applies for it instead of the first person to invent it. Isn't this the exact opposite of what we should be doing?" The article is talking about the National Research Council recommendations, and there are a few more details to this story that don't actually make the article. Most of the rest of the world does use the "first to file" method of patent protection, and it's been an ongoing battle between the US and other nations about bringing the two patent systems into line. Since so many more places use "first to file" rather than "first to invent" it's long been assumed that the US would eventually fall into line. It is backwards, of course, and is designed more to make it easier to figure out who should own the patent, rather than to actually encourage innovation. Instead, it will simply encourage people to file more bogus patents earlier in the process, just to make sure. It is a step backwards, and the only justification for it is to avoid having to spend difficult time figuring out who actually deserves the patent. I would much prefer patents go to those who actually deserve it, as that would seem to actually encourage innovation.

More Calls To Reform The Patent System

More Calls To Reform The Patent System 12/11/2003 02:30 PM
Earlier today we posted an article about how copyr ight law was harming, not helping, innovation. To go with that, how about an article from the Washington Post about how the patent system is harming, not helping, innovation. While the first article looked at DMCA smack-down suits, this one looks at all of the little patent shops that buy up ridiculous patents, don't actually build anything, wait for someone else (completely independently) to build something similar, and then sue them. It also looks at big companies who patent thousands of ideas every year, and then threaten any small company that might compete with them to "license our patents or else." The article mentions that many are hopeful that the resigna tion of the current USPTO directer will encourage real reform (despite all the praise he's receiving for being a "reformer"). From the quotes from the incoming director, though, I wouldn't hold my breath. In response to an FTC report that loudly questions the current patent system, the new USPTO director basically says that his hands are tied by treaty agreements the US has. He is happy, however, that the FTC suggests the patent office gets more money. Big surprise there. The money will go to more patent examiners, which just means that bad patents will get approved that much faster. What's needed is a real rethinking of the process. If the point of patents is to encourage innovation, we need to see if that's really happening or (if as appears in many cases) it's really just legalized extortion.

National Research Council urges patent
reform

National Research Council urges patent
reform 04/23/2004 12:18 AM

The United States National Research Council has issued a call for reforming the patents sector of intellectual property . The Council's recommendations include: expanded research of patented works without fear of legal retribution; awarding patent to first filers, rather than first inventors; increased resources and flexibility for the United States Patent and Trademark Office .

Continued innovation in the development of new technologies and products in this country suggests that the current patent system does not require a major overhaul, said the committee that wrote the report. However, economic and legal transitions have strained the system in recent decades, making clear the need for change.

(via Steven Kaye)

Patent Office Chief Resigns - Praised
For Reform?

Patent Office Chief Resigns - Praised
For Reform? 12/10/2003 02:17 AM
theodp writes "USPTO Director James Rogan is leaving the Bush administration in January to complete work on his autobiography, "Rough Edges," which will be published next summer, but can be preordered at Amazon.com today (be sure to turn on that patented 1-Click!). According to today's USPTO press release, Rogan changed the culture of the agency by making quality, not the time it takes to get a patent, the hallmark of its work - judge for yourself!" Amazingly, the article about him leaving talks about how much he's done to reform the patent system. Yet, every day we still seem to see ridiculous patents. If that's what we call reform these days, I think we need something different.

Red Hat Pushes for Intellectual Property
and Patent Policy Reform

Red Hat Pushes for Intellectual Property
and Patent Policy Reform 06/05/2005 11:44 PM
Technology News Daily Jun 4 2005 11:05AM GMT

Patent Reform Takes Half A Baby Step In
A Forward-Like Direction

Patent Reform Takes Half A Baby Step In
A Forward-Like Direction 04/19/2004 03:01 AM
Well, I don't know if anyone could actually call it "progress," but at least it sounds like more and more people are beginning to realize that the only people who actually benefit from the current patent system is the lawyers. A conference to discuss these issues seemed to have the typical problems as people realized that (despite simplistic rhetoric) the patent system can both encourage and discourage innovation - and it's important to figure out ways to lessen the "discourage" part. The one bit of (possibly, maybe) good news is a new technology "working group" to look at the issue of technology patent reform. Of course, this pretty much guarantees a lot more red tape, arguments, and very little actual patent reform. If we really reform the patent system within a decade it will be a shocker.

There's Life after Microsoft, Say Free
Software Advocates

There's Life after Microsoft, Say Free
Software Advocates 01/24/2004 05:01 PM
Vicente Ruiz, a Spanish advocate of the use of free software, feigned displeasure as he sat down to help a journalist working at the World Social Forum (WSF) in January. ''Aghh, Windows!'' he quipped. ''Working with Windows is like being in prison,'' fellow technical expert and free software campaigner, Juan Carlos Gentile of the free software group Hipatia, told IPS.

CyberMonday Midday: Microsoft Settles
Patent Suit with InterTrust; Wireless
Sees Patent Tech as Growth Key: Re

CyberMonday Midday: Microsoft Settles
Patent Suit with InterTrust; Wireless
Sees Patent Tech as Growth Key: Re 04/12/2004 07:26 PM
AVN Online Apr 12 2004 11:05PM GMT

Patent Office asked to review Microsoft
FAT patent

Patent Office asked to review Microsoft
FAT patent 04/15/2004 05:09 PM
Write open source software - and go to jail

Microsoft Joins Child Safety Advocates,
Law Enforcement for Fourth Global Law
Enforcement Training in Paarl, South
Africa

Microsoft Joins Child Safety Advocates,
Law Enforcement for Fourth Global Law
Enforcement Training in Paarl, South
Africa 09/06/2004 08:10 PM
To address the growing problem of children's safety on the Internet around the world, the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children, Interpol and Microsoft Corp. continue their series of international training programs for law enforcement personnel who investigate computer-facilitated crimes against children this week in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa.

Pennsylvania and Microsoft Announce
Joint Effort to Enhance Teacher
Resources and High-School Reform

Pennsylvania and Microsoft Announce
Joint Effort to Enhance Teacher
Resources and High-School Reform 04/06/2005 03:29 PM
Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell and Microsoft Corp. today announced a four-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support and expand teachers' professional development and high-school reform. The joint effort will contribute to Pennsylvania's Keystone Program for teachers and Project 720, the commonwealth's high-school reform initiative.

Microsoft Goes After Another XML Patent

Microsoft Goes After Another XML Patent 02/12/2004 04:50 PM
Microsoft has been granted a patent for XML script automation.

That Microsoft XML Patent

That Microsoft XML Patent 06/05/2005 11:19 PM

The coverage from ZDNet says the patent is for the conversion of objects into XML files; but if you read the patent itself, the important “Claim 1” doesn’t even mention XML, it’s just about serializing objects based on using an annotated source file and a schema. I was trying to find a way to write about this without becoming shrill and using bad language, but failing. Fortunately, I ran across a good opinion, shrill but not obscene, penned by Greg Aharonian who’s a real actual patent lawyer and thus qualified. Herewith a little bit of my own shrillness, followed by Greg’s professional evisceration of this extreme case of patent bogosity. [Update: slight correction regarding Don Box.]...

Microsoft FAT patent under fire

Microsoft FAT patent under fire 06/14/2004 08:20 AM
ZDNet Jun 14 2004 11:54AM GMT

Microsoft Tries to Patent the Internet
Again

Microsoft Tries to Patent the Internet
Again 03/24/2005 12:04 AM

Microsoft snags another XML-patent

Microsoft snags another XML-patent 02/13/2004 02:42 PM
MultiReg.com Feb 13 2004 6:17PM GMT

Other News: Microsoft XML Patent

Other News: Microsoft XML Patent 02/13/2004 11:54 AM
Microsoft has gotten one of many XML-related patents approved, promising more control over document formats.

Microsoft Patent in Review

Microsoft Patent in Review 06/11/2004 10:33 PM
asia.internet.com Jun 12 2004 2:32AM GMT

Microsoft ordered to pay $62M over
patent

Microsoft ordered to pay $62M over
patent 11/15/2003 02:13 AM
AP via Seattle Post Intelligencer Nov 15 2003 1:27AM ET

Another Wrinkle in the Microsoft FAT
Patent?

Another Wrinkle in the Microsoft FAT
Patent? 06/21/2004 12:41 PM
The open source community has been quite vocal in voicing their concerns over Microsoft's licensing of its File Allocation Table (FAT) patents. But there may be even more reasons for Linux backers to worry, according to this eWEEK story.

Sun gets second Microsoft patent payment

Sun gets second Microsoft patent payment 04/14/2005 09:45 PM
Companies also are expected to soon release more details on their collaborative efforts. What's it like to negotiate with Bill Gates?

Microsoft Ordered to Pay $62M Over
Patent

Microsoft Ordered to Pay $62M Over
Patent 11/15/2003 01:09 AM
San Jose Mercury News Nov 15 2003 0:27AM ET

Microsoft Receives XML Patent

Microsoft Receives XML Patent 02/12/2004 08:51 PM

Microsoft checks off patent win

Microsoft checks off patent win 06/08/2004 01:51 PM

Microsoft Locks Up XML Patent

Microsoft Locks Up XML Patent 02/12/2004 12:52 PM
The software giant lands another XML patent, which will bolster its .NET development scheme.

USPTO to Review Microsoft FAT Patent

USPTO to Review Microsoft FAT Patent 06/11/2004 07:15 PM
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has agreed to a request that it reexamine a patent granted to Microsoft covering the FAT file system used in Windows. A non-profit group called The Public Patent Foundation asked the USPTO in April to revoke the patent on grounds that FAT has become a ubiquitous format found in numerous devices.

Microsoft: XML patent moves are no big
deal

Microsoft: XML patent moves are no big
deal 01/26/2004 01:50 PM
Recent patent applications filed by Microsoft are routine moves and don't reflect a change in the company's position on Extensible Markup Language, according to a spokesman for the software maker

Microsoft to pay SPX $60 million in
patent suit

Microsoft to pay SPX $60 million in
patent suit 12/26/2003 05:27 PM
The dispute centered on the Whiteboard feature in Microsoft's NetMeeting software.

W3C sides with Microsoft against Eolas
patent

W3C sides with Microsoft against Eolas
patent 10/29/2003 11:22 AM
The World Wide Web Consortium has taken up Microsoft's cause in a patent infringement lawsuit by urging the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to invalidate the related patent "in order to prevent substantial economic and technical damage to the operation of (the) World Wide Web."
Grok Description matches for Microsoft Advocates for Patent Reform
GrokA matches for Microsoft Advocates for Patent Reform

Microsoft Advocates for Patent Reform

The following phrases have been identified by the grok system as matching this entry: