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<blockquote data-quote="PapersAndPaychecks" data-source="post: 4035527" data-attributes="member: 28854">The difference to which I referred lies in the rules of procedure, actually, not so much patent law.In the UK, there are two key differences under rules of procedure:&nbsp; (1) The loser pays the winner's legal costs, and (2) Solicitors commonly work on a &quot;No Win, No Fee&quot; basis.&nbsp; (This is obviously subject to the solicitor's initial assessment--they have to feel they have a reasonable chance of winning before they'll do this!)The practical upshot is that someone without much money, but with a decent case, can always afford excellent legal representation.&nbsp; And thus a company with rooms full of lawyers is at no advantage relative to a private citizen with a half-decent case.The best person to answer a question on patents might be S'mon?&nbsp; I hope he chimes in.Personally I became interested in the subject of IP law when I released OSRIC, and my interest escalated sharply when WOTC's brand licensing manager emailed certain remarks to me that made me feel I should consult a solicitor specialising in IP law.&nbsp; (In retrospect this was unnecessary, since WOTC seem to have backed off.)The advice I received focused on contract law and copyrights, rather than patents.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="PapersAndPaychecks, post: 4035527, member: 28854"] The difference to which I referred lies in the rules of procedure, actually, not so much patent law. In the UK, there are two key differences under rules of procedure: (1) The loser pays the winner's legal costs, and (2) Solicitors commonly work on a "No Win, No Fee" basis. (This is obviously subject to the solicitor's initial assessment--they have to feel they have a reasonable chance of winning before they'll do this!) The practical upshot is that someone without much money, but with a decent case, can always afford excellent legal representation. And thus a company with rooms full of lawyers is at no advantage relative to a private citizen with a half-decent case. The best person to answer a question on patents might be S'mon? I hope he chimes in. Personally I became interested in the subject of IP law when I released OSRIC, and my interest escalated sharply when WOTC's brand licensing manager emailed certain remarks to me that made me feel I should consult a solicitor specialising in IP law. (In retrospect this was unnecessary, since WOTC seem to have backed off.) The advice I received focused on contract law and copyrights, rather than patents. [/QUOTE]

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