IEEE Proposes New Class of Patents

Posted by Zonk on Thursday February 2, 2006 @05:13AM from the something's-got-to-change dept.

cheesedog writes "The IEEE Spectrum proposes a new type of patent that wouldn't require formal examination, would cost significantly less than traditional patents, would last only 4 years from date of first commercial product, and which wouldn't carry a presumption of validity. These 'limited patents' would be attractive to innovators in the fast-moving high-tech industry that can't wait 18-24 months for patent approval, and would help improve patent quality by populating the USPTO's prior-art database more efficiently. Additional commentary on this proposal is available."

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So... by pclminion · 2006-02-02 05:23 · Score: 1, Redundant

Has anybody patented this new type of patent yet?
Re:So by geekoid · 2006-02-02 05:26 · Score: 0, Redundant

That is the system we have now.

Basically this happens when a patent is pending.

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