[MLUG - DISCUSSION] landmark patent case is a victory for innovation

["Jonathan King" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

When the Supreme Court goes 9-0 on something, they are making an
unusually strong statement about a topic. And yesterday's decision is
huge:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/30/AR2007043001668.html

Basically, this empowers patent examiners and courts to consider
"obviousness" in a much less constrained way, particularly in cases
where you are seeking a patent for invention A that is the simple
composition of pieces with previous discoveries. If this really kicks
in, I think the number of patents could go down by 50% or more,
although the number of lawsuits that go to trial will go way up if
more patents are challenged.

Overall, this is excellent news.

jking

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