The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has proposed new rules that would effectively end the public’s ability to challenge improperly granted patents at the Patent Office itself. We need EFF supporters to file public comments opposing these rules this week. The USPTO is moving quickly, and staying silent will only help those who profit from abusive patents.
I understand the need for full detailed reasoning, but that legalese document is not approachable or accessible.
I wish they had at least given a plain language summary of the changes they intend to make. For full reasoning you could still refer to the whole document.
I guess I’ll trust the EFF in their interpretation.
Numerous invalid patents have been granted in the past, and had to be challenged to be corrected.
These suggested changes are horrendous for a just or sustainable patent system.
There may be opportunities for change or efficiency gains, but blocking and evading challenges in various ways is not a good approach. It excessively favors patent trolls which act maliciously and damaging to other companies, the economy and society at large.