Confusing Patents With Innovation
from the are-they-the-same? dept
The SF Chronicle has an article talking about how, even in the downturn, companies are beefing up their patent portfolios. The article suggests that it's a move to stress R&D and innovation, but it seems more like a move to desperately look for cash in other areas, and potentially harm innovation. The problem with many patents is that the process for awarding them is so bad, that many should never be awarded. However, once they are, it gives that company a virtual monopoly - even if they're not doing anything with the patent. It slows down innovation, and makes it more costly.
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