The Private and Social Costs of Patent Trolls

26. September, 2011

Another study by James E. Bessen: “The Private and Social Costs of Patent Trolls”

Patent trolls did cost society over $500 billion in the past 20 years. That’s not the money they sued for – that’s the money shareholders lost because of diving quotes because of a lawsuit. It’s money that was converted to nothing. No one, not even the trolls, had any advantage from it.

The study also shows that patent trolls only sue big companies. This is an indication of a weakness in the current patent system (the one after the “huge” reform).

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Samsung vs Apple

19. September, 2011

Happy suing everywhere.

My only comment: This litigation is going to cost millions of dollars. Many millions. I’m thinking hundreds.

Of course, both companies are rich, so they can afford it.

Sadly, that was once our money, your and mine. So in a way, they are wasting perfectly fine money. Money which could have been invested in, say, R&D, making better products, sell their products cheaper, world peace.

You could argue that any fines aren’t wasted. But I wonder: If Samsung has to pay, say, $100 million in fines to Apple (I actually wrote Sony here – no idea why), how much of that money actually goes to attorneys?

And what about customers who are no longer allowed to buy certain products while the lawsuit lasts?

I imagine this: We all built a sandbox for all of us to play in. We spent time and effort and passion. And now, the bullies are taking over the place, driving us out. For perfectly legal reasons of course. No doubt. Not a one.

Does that make you feel better?

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At last: Filing patents is been patented!

11. January, 2011

Just before the end of last year, a gaping hole has been closed in the struggle to turn the world in a lawyer’s playground: IBM has filed a patent that patents filing patents.

Whenever you apply for a new patent, you’ll have to pay royalties to IBM! It’s like the invention of the self-printing money! Well done! 🙂

References:

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Posted by digulla

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