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Creating A Global Patent System

prostoalex writes "May issue of MIT Technology Review discussed the implications of a globalized patent system. For small inventors, it argues, the cost of globalizing the rights for their invention are just unbearable. For example, in Europe it costs about $7,000 per country to file a patent application. As an article bonus, some people might like to take a look at the list of the largest patent holders per industry in PDF format."

4 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Yeah right by tankdilla · · Score: 5, Funny

    Whatever country doesn't agree to global patent law must have weapons of mass destruction and will face consequences.

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    -Look lively. LOOK LIVELY!!! --Mr. Shmallow

  2. how long before... by Kircle · · Score: 2, Funny

    How long before someone tries to patent the Global Patent System?

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    -- Kircle

  3. Re:Yeah right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
    a treaty that would seriously undermine our economy

    In the Bushian America, GWB undermines your economy.

  4. In other news: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    There is discussion about the possibility of a world-wide standard set of measurements that uses decimal conversions between units. (The USA has filed for a patent to this invention, but would be happy to extend the invention to other countries, even France.)

    "Too long has the world been forced to multiply strange numbers in their heads when converting between feet and miles," said a US spokesperson, "This new system allows them to multiply by 1000, and we believe the world would be a better place should they adopt it too."