Re:iA makes patent threats
by adventured on Friday December 27, 2013 @06:32PM
(#6973128)
"But when a small company or independent developer files for a small number of patents, there’s no defensive value — they can only be used for offense."
This is obviously not correct.
1) With the changes in patent law, it's now critical to be the first to file. It's not enough to just have proof that you did something / invented something before someone else.
2) A patent can be filed for the purpose of preventing a competitor or aggressor from acquiring said patent and using it offensively. This makes a lot of sense for small companies particularly if their business hinges on a specific technology that is even kinda-sorta original to said company, or if the company's prosperity depends on not getting hit by a patent lawsuit on some cornerstone aspect to their business.
This is obviously not correct.
1) With the changes in patent law, it's now critical to be the first to file. It's not enough to just have proof that you did something / invented something before someone else.
2) A patent can be filed for the purpose of preventing a competitor or aggressor from acquiring said patent and using it offensively. This makes a lot of sense for small companies particularly if their business hinges on a specific technology that is even kinda-sorta original to said company, or if the company's prosperity depends on not getting hit by a patent lawsuit on some cornerstone aspect to their business.