Microsoft, Oracle call for patent reform

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I agree

Many posters here will disagree from a purely visceral response. But MS has to live in the society of business, and rogue behavior, as some have been suggesting for at least a year, would be self-destructive. In truth there are few that benefit from the present chaos, other than those that deriving the huge legal fees.

The USPTO is in a dichotomous position, since it derives fees from all patents granted. The software patent has become a cash cow, but the rash of wrongfully-issued patents has so depreciated the currency of a U.S. patent that Director Rogan was absolutely correct terming it an "agency in crisis."

Interestingly, the EPO, having successfully refused software patents until it had its search system in place, could now admit software patents with no harm to the mainstream of patents. Simply use the same system, and let the software chips fall where they may, meaning an EPO software patent would have no more value than a U.S. one. But the mainstream EPO mechanical, electrical, chemical,... patent is still something you can "take to the bank" as a U.S. patent once was.

Posted by: IT_User   Posted on: 04/25/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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