SHIELD Act Targeting Patent Trolls Re-Introduced; It's A Step In The Right Direction, But Just A Small One

from the need-more dept

As expected, the SHIELD Act, which would allow those sued by patent trolls over bogus patents to seek legal fees, has been reintroduced in Congress. As I said when the bill was originally introduced, I think it's a good thing, though just a very, very small step towards dealing with the larger problems of the patent system. I signed onto a letter from EFF and Engine Advocacy in support of the bill, but really wish we could go much further in reforming the system. Unfortunately, the story coming out of Congress is that while there may be some interest in this bill (and it's not clear if it's enough to pass), there is zero appetite for any additional changes. That's unfortunate.

The patent system today is a massive economic sinkhole. It is not contributing to innovation. It is not encouraging innovation. It is actively hindering it. Yes, it is making some patent lawyers very, very wealthy, and they don't want that to stop. But it is doing nothing to help the broader economy. That we can't even seem to take a serious look at what the patent system is doing to the innovation economy is really unfortunate.

Filed Under: loser pays, patent trolling, patents, shield act