I think this document can be used as-is to explain our concerns about
software patents in EU._*
"Patents Out of Control?"*_
USA Today (01/13/04) P. 1B; Davidson, Paul
http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20040113/5832337s.htm
Industry and government officials agree that the clearest sign of a
patent system running amuck is surging numbers of patent lawsuits, which
are becoming problematic for companies large and small and are
threatening to stifle technological innovation. Critics charge that many
patents at the center of such lawsuits--of which those covering software
and business methods are among the most notorious--are obscure or false,
but are being approved by a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)
ill-equipped to thoroughly research the validity of vast numbers of
patent applications. "Very bad patents are...draining millions of
dollars that could be spent on finding a better mousetrap," notes lawyer
Mark Banner. Approximately 180,000 patents were awarded by the PTO in
2002, while about 700 more patent examiners need to be hired to manage a
backlog of 500,000 applications, according to officials. Bad patents are
bad news to small companies that lack the financial resources to weather
lawsuits, while larger companies must divert research funds to build
patent portfolios to protect them from opportunistic patent holders.
Critics contend that the patent system has given rise to new kinds of
companies that exist for the sole purpose of stockpiling patents and
collecting royalties, without injecting anything into the economy.[...]
--
Brent Frère
Private e-mail: Brent(a)BFrere.net
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