EN World D&D / RPG News - View Single Post - Has the USPTO finally attained ridiculous status?

andargor · 18th August 2008, 04:12 PM

I was reading this article this morning, and I could only shake my head at the whole patent system. Remember when someone tried to sue because they said they invented electronic commerce?

Am I the only one disgusted at the entire business of filing stupidly general patents en masse, and then going around blackmailing people with it? Why is the USPTO granting these patents, anyway?

I agree that inventors should be protected, but this makes no sense. It makes small companies fearful of going into business with an original idea because of these suits. As an entrepreneur, I am sensitive to such matters.

Check out this patent, which is one of those in the suit, and tell me if it deserves to be a patent.

18th August 2008, 04:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
andargor Rule Lawyer Groupie Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Location: Location: Posts: 1,622	Has the USPTO finally attained ridiculous status? I was reading this article this morning, and I could only shake my head at the whole patent system. Remember when someone tried to sue because they said they invented electronic commerce? Am I the only one disgusted at the entire business of filing stupidly general patents en masse, and then going around blackmailing people with it? Why is the USPTO granting these patents, anyway? I agree that inventors should be protected, but this makes no sense. It makes small companies fearful of going into business with an original idea because of these suits. As an entrepreneur, I am sensitive to such matters. Check out this patent, which is one of those in the suit, and tell me if it deserves to be a patent. __________________ It is by will alone I set my die in motion. It is by gaming that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning. It is by will alone I set my die in motion. Shameless Plug from an Old-Timer: A Walk Down Memory Lane - 30 years of Gaming