Live data from Hacker News

House approves major overhaul of patent system

news.yahoo.com

1–10 of 48 posts

Re: House approves major overhaul of patent system

#3

"The two chambers still have to reconcile differences, but the bill has the advantage of being supported by the White House, major business groups, and leaders from both parties who have hailed it as a major jobs-creating measure." This is a huge red flag.

No kidding, and this one too-

"Opposition came mainly from groups representing independent inventors, small businesses and academics."

Re: House approves major overhaul of patent system

#4
post #3

"The two chambers still have to reconcile differences, but the bill has the advantage of being supported by the White House, major business groups, and leaders from both parties who have hailed it as a major jobs-creating measure." This is a huge red flag.

No kidding, and this one too- "Opposition came mainly from groups representing independent inventors, small businesses and academics."

Remember, though, that a patent troll's business card doesn't say "patent troll" on it: It says "independent inventor".

Which is not to say that you might not be right to be worried.

Re: House approves major overhaul of patent system

#5
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No kidding, and this one too- "Opposition came mainly from groups representing independent inventors, small businesses and academics."

Remember, though, that a patent troll's business card doesn't say "patent troll" on it: It says "independent inventor". Which is not to say that you might not be right to be worried.

I suppose. My quick read of the details makes me think this is no good. It sounds like the primary problem being solved for is the backlog of patent applications not the quality of patents being issued or anything at all related to litigation.

Re: House approves major overhaul of patent system

#6
"The most significant change brought about by the bill would put the United States under the same first-inventor-to-file system for patent applications used by Europe and Japan. Currently the country operates on a first-to-invent system"

Wow, does this mean everyone who wants to not get patent trolled has to file immediately?

Re: House approves major overhaul of patent system

#7
post #6

"The most significant change brought about by the bill would put the United States under the same first-inventor-to-file system for patent applications used by Europe and Japan. Currently the country operates on a first-to-invent system" Wow, does this mean everyone who wants to not get patent trolled has to file immediately?

No. It has no effect on patent trolling.

Re: House approves major overhaul of patent system

#8
The biggest concern to me - given two competitors, the one who delays their product to market while they get patents wins. I want a patent system that I can safely ignore without someone else later 'inventing' the same thing as me and taking me to court.

"[T]he bill would put the United States under the same first-inventor-to-file system for patent applications used by Europe and Japan. Currently the country operates on a first-to-invent system" ...

"John Conyers [...] said it would permit the Patent and Trademark Office to award a patent to the first person who can win a race to the patent office regardless of who is the actual inventor."

Re: House approves major overhaul of patent system

#9
post #7
post #6

"The most significant change brought about by the bill would put the United States under the same first-inventor-to-file system for patent applications used by Europe and Japan. Currently the country operates on a first-to-invent system" Wow, does this mean everyone who wants to not get patent trolled has to file immediately?

No. It has no effect on patent trolling.

Why not?

It sounds like looking for new gizmos without associated patents and then patenting them as yours would be an ideal strategy.

The alternative? Patent every gizmo yourself before release. Neat. A tax on innovation.

Re: House approves major overhaul of patent system

#10
post #9
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No. It has no effect on patent trolling.

Why not? It sounds like looking for new gizmos without associated patents and then patenting them as yours would be an ideal strategy. The alternative? Patent every gizmo yourself before release. Neat. A tax on innovation.

It's first INVENTOR to file. If you just see someone else's gizmo, you can't patent it because you are not an inventor.

All this changes is how it is handled when two or more inventors have overlapping inventions.

Post reply on HN