Microsoft: Patent overhaul needed now

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It STILL leaves patents as a tool for the rich.

"Smith called on the United States to eliminate patent filing fees for individuals and small businesses, saying the move could encourage more of these inventors to obtain patents."

Great, so now it wouldn't cost you anything to file for a patent, but it STILL would cost you a bundle to defend it: "Microsoft, typically faced with an average of 35 to 40 patent lawsuits at any given time, is particularly interested in reform as it hopes to pare down the $100 million it spends annually to defend itself against such suits." Let's see, that means about $2.5 million per year per patent. I don't have that kind of money, don't know ANY small business that DOES. (Axey evidently has $5 million to spend a year since he says he has TWO patents.)

If the U.S. government is going to grant a patent, claiming that it is some sort of protection for the little guy as far as his IP goes, then the U.S. government should pay the costs of defending it.

Until that happens, patents will REMAIN the tool of the rich and this system will REMAIN broken.

Posted by: Judas I.   Posted on: 03/11/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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