FTC to Examine Patent Application Process

Armchair Dissident writes "The BBC is running an article that suggests that the FTC is to look into the way that patents are reviewed and issued. If this article is correct it seems that many guesses as to how patents are issued were correct; with 95% of patent applications being approved. They may also address the issue of "patent trolls"."

Comments

Patent Trolls?

[Nuclear Elephant]

Are you telling me Microsoft didn't really invent the double click?

Re:Patent trolls?

[stratjakt]

It's not like you have any prior art, but you should patent FAILING IT!

Patent trolls?

[Trigun]

Did they patent the first post?

Finally!

[cmburns69]

Can it be that somebody at the FTC actually reads slashdot?

"Outlook Positive"!]

Re:Finally!

[NTmatter]

now, IANAL, but I think that this Dissection of a magic 8-ball may be a violation of the DMCA. The information within has clearly been used to illegally modify the magic 8-ball to serve a new sinister purpose, which is a clear violation of the Patriot Act (they may be used to carry hidden subversive messages for terrorists). Please turn yourself in to the relevant authorities at once.

Have a nice day

Pay me royalties!

[MalaclypseTheYounger]

I just took out a patent on running articles that suggest that the FTC is looking into the ways that patents are reviewed and issued.

1. Make a Patent.
2. Enforce the Patent.
3. Profit!!

Re:Pay me royalties!

[molarmass192]

You aren't maximizing your profit potential with a 3 step process. It should be like this:Real,
1. Make a Patent.
2. Sock patent away in filing cabinet until 1 year prior to expiration and concept is in widespread use.
3. Enforce the Patent.
4. Profit!!

Troll Checklist...

[FortKnox]

... slashdot, check...
... patent office, check...
... FCC, check...
... TV? Well, we have foxnews and soon-to-be AlGores Democratic-fest channel.... check

So... who's left to troll?

Re:Finally-

[NeoThermic]

>>So let's not hold our breath, eh?

Until they patent breathing through biological devices that exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide...

NeoThermic

Next patent

[Mz6]

Well.. logically the next patent in line is the Ctrl-Alt-Del one. It was probably used more than their double-click.

Re:Patent Trolls, Patent Insightfuls

[Nuclear Elephant]

Then all our patents would be classified as "Overrated", "Funny", or "Troll"...and there'd be at least one mention of soviet russia in every schematic.

Maybe this will stop Process Patenting

[Marxist Hacker 42]

At least until the lobby gets built to make EVERYTHING patentable.

Re:Patent Trolls, Patent Insightfuls

[Mz6]

Don't forget Overrated, Informative, and Interesting you insesitive clod!

Heh...

[SeaDour]

If trolls are a problem with the patent office, the solution seems simple: start giving citizens patent moderator points.

Re:Patent Trolls, Patent Insightfuls

[Nuclear Elephant]

...and every now and then you'd open up one of the illustrations and it'd be ASCII donkey pr0n.

reducto ad absurdum

[techno-vampire]

As long as we're allowed to patent business practices and most patents are granted without proper examination, there's a neat way to eliminate the problem: simply patent the business practice of patenting something that doesn't deserve one then suing everybody that's already using your idea.

Re:patent trolls

[TopShelf]

I thought that was SCO's vision statment...

Patent Trolling???

[rock_climbing_guy]

Is that where someone faxes the goatse ascii art to the patent office???

Re:Patent Trolling???

[nacturation]

Is that where someone faxes the goatse ascii art to the patent office???

I think it's more along the lines of:

"... a method of expansion of the extremities of the lower intestine via a procedure comprised of first elevating the upper torso in such a manner that the torso and legs are perpendicular, followed by pressure applied by the first and second digits of the left and right hands to the area adjacent to the opening..."

Re:Patent Trolls, Patent Insightfuls

[fred_sanford]

Then all our patents would be classified as "Overrated", "Funny", or "Troll"...

Don't forget Overrated, Informative, and Interesting you insesitive clod!

...and especially Redundant would apply as well.

Re:Finally-

[Killjoy_NL]

I'm not giving up my gills for anyone ;)

Re:Patent Trolls, Patent Insightfuls

[freakmn]

...and especially Redundant would apply as well.

...and especially Redundant would apply as well.

What's wrong here?

[SEWilco]

Is it an indicator of system problems when a British government-sponsored news organization is providing good coverage of American federal trade overseers examining an IP service organization?