The Fire of Genius » Tea and wikis

Academic commentary about patent law, i.p. law, creativity, and more

December 15, 2006

posted by Joe at 5:00 am

An interesting bit from c|net about patent reform in the U.K., including a possible spring trial of peer patent review on the wiki model.

Filed under: IP Policy , Patent

I took a look at your “interesting bit” and, surprise surprise, the anti-patent FFII had provided the journalist with quotes to compose most of the piece. But, again surprise, the points made by that spokesperson have some validity. Why should any busy informed competent technically skilled person spend lots of time contributing to the Wiki? Also, if you were a patent applicant, wouldn’t you rather have all the art out in the open before examn finishes, rather than sprung on you after issue so, why would any real life competitor HELP you by tipping you off about the best art, while you can still tweak the claims during examn? Myself, I can’t see the Noveck idea coming to much, at least in Europe. Hopefully UK will give it a go and then we will see whether any observer from the public is bothered enough to contribute. Joe, as you yourself said, there isn’t anybody out there ready to perform the hard work of invalidating rubbish claims, except Examiners and an accused infringer.

Comment by MaxDrei — December 19, 2006 @ 12:21 am