How a rogue appeals court wrecked the patent system

11/15/2012

This article discusses the impact of a controversial ruling by a federal appeals court on the U.S. patent system. The ruling allowed software and business method patents, which were previously considered controversial, to be granted more easily. The article highlights how this decision led to an increase in patent trolls, companies that primarily exist to acquire and assert patents. It also examines the negative consequences of this ruling, including stifling innovation and burdening legitimate businesses with costly patent infringement lawsuits. The article argues that the court's decision had a detrimental effect on the patent system by strengthening patent trolls and hindering technological progress.

patents ꞏ patent system ꞏ intellectual property ꞏ technology ꞏ innovation ꞏ legal ꞏ court ꞏ legal system ꞏ technology policy ꞏ patent law ꞏ infringement ꞏ patent trolls ꞏ patent reform ꞏ legal battles ꞏ software patents ꞏ innovation economy ꞏ patent litigation ꞏ patent office ꞏ patent wars ꞏ patentability ꞏ patent disputes ꞏ legal decisions ꞏ patent licensing ꞏ patent holders ꞏ patent examination ꞏ patent filing ꞏ invalid patents ꞏ patent cases ꞏ patent portfolio ꞏ patent application ꞏ patent protection ꞏ patent enforcement ꞏ patent eligibility ꞏ patent law reform ꞏ patent system reform ꞏ patent examination process ꞏ patent process ꞏ patent system abuse ꞏ patent system problems ꞏ patent legislation ꞏ patent litigation system ꞏ patent rights ꞏ patent strategy ꞏ software industry ꞏ software development ꞏ tech industry ꞏ tech policy ꞏ technology innovation ꞏ technology law ꞏ technology patents ꞏ us patent system