The Evil Men Do
Just when I think the world of patents and patent litigation could not possibly get any stupider, someone proves me wrong. A senior member of the IEEE (who bills himself professionally as a "patent agent"... WTF?!?) has suggested a new "pre-patent" scheme that is purported to speed up the patent process.Now, when I first heard that a "IEEE Senior Member" had an idea for improving the patent process I had high hopes. After all, the current patent process really only serves two purposes; tangle up competition in meaningless litigation, and/or generate a revenue stream by either collecting royalties or settlements. I can't think of the last time I heard of some meaningless patent actually standing up in court, such as a patent on a flashlight or screwdriver. There are no novel flashlights or screwdrivers, and probably never will be again as the technology is far too commonplace. Even a flashlight with 100 white LEDs and running off a LiIon battery pack isn't NOVEL, it is simply an obvious evolution. Imagine my surprise when I saw a reference to this IEEE guy's proposal saying it "wouldn't carry a presumption of validity"... and that was when I knew he was actually a SITH LORD!!!! Well, not really, but friggin close. This is an actual quote:
"In fact, no examination—beyond a check to see that the minimum filing requirements are met—would be performed before issuing a registration number, which the patent owner would be required to use alongside the invention to gain protection. Because there would be no official determination of novelty, there would be no presumption of validity for the limited patent. Anyone who pays an examination fee and submits prior art showing the protected item is not novel could challenge the limited patent. "
OMFG, the endtimes are upon us. My faith is blown. When a person can simultaneously be an IEEE Senior Member AND a scumsucking fuckwit patent lawyer... well, let's just say I haven't seen such a betrayal of ideals since Anakin fucked over the Jedi Council. What next? He murders all the kids at a summer electronics camp? No need, I'd say his passage to the Dark Side is complete.
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