Patent Reform?

Grok Headline matches for Patent Reform?

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

IBM calls for patent reform

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

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

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.

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.

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

Microsoft Advocates for Patent Reform

Microsoft Advocates for Patent Reform 03/14/2005 06:17 PM
The Redmond software giant is commencing a campaign to bring some major changes to U.S. patent system.

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.

US Patent and Trademark Office Nixes
Eolas Browser Plug-in Patent

US Patent and Trademark Office Nixes
Eolas Browser Plug-in Patent 03/06/2004 01:59 AM

Chinese Patent Office Grants Fingerprint
Recognition Hardware Patent

Chinese Patent Office Grants Fingerprint
Recognition Hardware Patent 12/28/2004 11:11 PM
ChinaTechNews.com Dec 29 2004 3:10AM GMT

World Wide Web Consortium Presents the
US Patent Office with Evidence
Invalidating Eolas Patent

World Wide Web Consortium Presents the
US Patent Office with Evidence
Invalidating Eolas Patent 10/30/2003 12:34 AM
World Wide Web Consortium Presents the US Patent Office with Evidence Invalidating Eolas Patent .. se ha presentado en las oficinas de patentes y marcas de los Estados Unidos .. Read the briefing .. News release

w3.org/2003/10/28-906-briefing
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U.S. Patent Office Grants New Patent for
BUGS Carbon Reactivation Technology;
Innovative Biotechnology Solutio

U.S. Patent Office Grants New Patent for
BUGS Carbon Reactivation Technology;
Innovative Biotechnology Solutio 06/17/2005 04:27 PM
Investors Business Daily Jun 16 2005 1:56PM GMT

Eolas browser plug-in patent invalidated
by US Patent Office

Eolas browser plug-in patent invalidated
by US Patent Office 03/08/2004 11:08 PM
The US Patent and Trademark Office has now stepped in and invalidated the Eolas patent. The decision, if it is upheld, will clear Microsoft of charges of wrong-doing.

Patent Office Agrees To Check Into All
That Prior Art On The Eolas Patent

Patent Office Agrees To Check Into All
That Prior Art On The Eolas Patent 11/12/2003 01:35 PM
The latest in the Eolas patent saga is that someone at the Patent Office has finally agreed to review the patent based on stacks and stacks of prior art that people have been finding. Amazingly, the Patent Office appears to have responded quickly (though, they don't say how long it will take for a new decision on the patent) to the requests for a re-examination of the patent. There's a quote from the USPTO's deputy commissioner for patent examination policy saying that this was an "extraordinary situation" which necessitated the quick response. The problem with this statement is that it's not an extraordinary situation. In fact, it's an increasingly common situation, where silly patents are getting the stamp of approval every day - and then used to hold other companies up for extortion, rather than for encouraging innovation.

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

Silly Patent Of The Day: Adobe Hit With
Lawsuit Over Hyperlink Patent

Silly Patent Of The Day: Adobe Hit With
Lawsuit Over Hyperlink Patent 07/08/2004 05:05 PM
I think it's about time we came up with a new topic/icon for stupid patents. There are just so many of them these days. The latest is that Adobe, who is no stranger to abusing intellectual property rules, is now being hit with a patent over their PDF technology. The patent is for a method of extracting network information via hyperlinks. Reading through the patent, they're basically describing a system for clicking on a hyperlinking and having the system not only download the page in question, but all locally related pages linked from that page as well. Perhaps a useful system, but it seems like this sort of technology was around well before the patent was granted, and it's unclear what it has to do with PDF files.

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

Patent Office to Undertake New Review of
Critical Web Patent

Patent Office to Undertake New Review of
Critical Web Patent 11/13/2003 03:09 AM
BeSpacific Nov 13 2003 1:29AM ET

Newly Launched Patent Database Opens
Free Search Access to IBM's Open Source
Software Patent Collection

Newly Launched Patent Database Opens
Free Search Access to IBM's Open Source
Software Patent Collection 02/01/2005 09:16 PM
PatentCafe's Natural Language Based OSS Patent Search Engine� Accelerates Software Developers' Use of IBM's 500 Pledged Patents. Freely accessible by the entire OSS community, PatentCafe's Open Source Software Patent Search Engine adds significant value to IBM's contribution by accelerating the integration of IBM's patented technology into the marketplace, helping to foster worldwide interoperability standards. [PRWEB Feb 1, 2005]

Patent office to re-examine Eolas patent

Patent office to re-examine Eolas patent 11/12/2003 01:14 PM

Eolas patent defended before US patent
office

Eolas patent defended before US patent
office 05/13/2004 07:48 AM
Computer Weekly May 13 2004 12:23PM GMT

Patent Office Reviews Disputed Web
Patent

Patent Office Reviews Disputed Web
Patent 11/14/2003 04:41 AM
BizReport.com Nov 14 2003 4:18AM ET

The Patent Office is going to re-examine
the Eolas patent

The Patent Office is going to re-examine
the Eolas patent 11/13/2003 08:53 AM

news.com.com/2100-1032_3-5106129.html
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US Patent Office Grants Special Patent
Status to Private Inventor Regarding
Alleged Technology Infringement by
Acterna Corporation�s DSAM 2500 Cable
Modem Tester

US Patent Office Grants Special Patent
Status to Private Inventor Regarding
Alleged Technology Infringement by
Acterna Corporation�s DSAM 2500 Cable
Modem Tester 09/27/2004 03:30 AM
Richard C. Jaworski announces that the US Patent Office has granted his �Petition to Make Special� on his System of Testing the Upstream Cable Modem Channel (TUCMC) patent application. The petition to the US Patent Office alleged infringement of his technology by Acterna Corporation in their DSAM 2500 Cable Modem Test Instrument. Mr. Jaworski has written evidence that Acterna knew of the patent and the technology prior to releasing the feature in the DSAM 2500. According to patent law, triple damages are applicable for prior knowledge infringement as soon as the patent issues. Due to its special status, Jaworski expects the patent to issue in the immediate future. [PRWEB Sep 27, 2004]

How to reform the FCC

How to reform the FCC 06/21/2004 07:26 AM
Economist Randolph May says the time is ripe to move the FCC to the executive branch, where there will be more political accountability for its actions.

reform-0.1

reform-0.1 09/13/2004 04:55 PM

The Register wants reform

The Register wants reform 06/24/2005 07:26 PM
According to Cathy Kirkman of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich and Rosati, the Register of Coyprights has decided to propose abolishing the compulsory right granted by section 115 of the Copyright Act. This is the provision that gives recording artists the right to record "covers," so long as they pay a specified fee. Remember this quote from a 1967 House Judiciary Report, considering a modification to the law as it existed then:

[T]he record producers argued vigorously that the compulsory license system must be retained. They asserted that the record industry is a half-billion-dollar business of great economic importance in the United States and throughout the world; records today are the principal means of disseminating music, and this creates special problems, since performers need unhampered access to musical material on nondiscriminatory terms. Historically, the record producers pointed out, there were no recording rights before 1909 and the 1909 statute adopted the compulsory license as a deliberate anti-monopoly condition on the grant of these rights. They argue that the result has been an outpouring of recorded music, with the public being given lower prices, improved quality, and a greater choice.

Copyright Law Revision, Committee on the Judiciary, 90th Cong. 1st, Sess., Rep. No. 83 66 (March 8, 1967). Apparently the Registrer believes performers no longer "need unhampered access to musical material on nondiscriminatory terms." What progress.

X.org and XFree86 Reform

X.org and XFree86 Reform 01/23/2004 02:20 PM

Rockefeller Reform

Rockefeller Reform 05/26/2004 07:51 PM
AlterNet-28 minutes ago ... them on the phone. To learn more, she scanned The New York Times and typed "Rockefeller drug laws" into Google. Then she sent letters ...

UN must reform or die, says Rice

UN must reform or die, says Rice 04/16/2005 02:42 AM
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the United Nations must reform to survive as a "vital force".

This Is Reform? (washingtonpost.com)

This Is Reform? (washingtonpost.com) 08/14/2004 02:53 PM

Will copyright reform chill use of Web?

Will copyright reform chill use of Web? 06/01/2004 06:07 AM
CanadaIT.com Jun 1 2004 9:35AM GMT

India calls for reform of the UN

India calls for reform of the UN 09/23/2004 01:22 PM
India's prime minister calls for urgent reform of the UN Security Council to make it a more effective global voice.

NHS reform 'to cut waiting times'

NHS reform 'to cut waiting times' 06/27/2004 07:50 AM
Radical moves are being considered to cut the number of people waiting for NHS treatment, it emerges.
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Patent Reform?

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