As an outsider (a software engineer who is rarely involved in patent issues), my impression is that there are many people who make a living from patents as they stand. Because of this they are resistant to rule changes that would affect their business.
It will continue to be very hard to overcome the opposition unless there is a clear benefit to society from the change. Making it easier to invalidate a patent is a clear example - it devalues all patents from a gilt-edge commodity to a somewhat more dubious one.
I think we do need changes to the system, and there may be a role for patents. But we need to focus on how we can add value to society, to businesses and to the academic world rather than supporting a bureaucratic and legal system that is a parasite on innovation.
As an outsider (a software engineer who is rarely involved in patent issues), my impression is that there are many people who make a living from patents as they stand. Because of this they are resistant to rule changes that would affect their business.
It will continue to be very hard to overcome the opposition unless there is a clear benefit to society from the change. Making it easier to invalidate a patent is a clear example - it devalues all patents from a gilt-edge commodity to a somewhat more dubious one.
I think we do need changes to the system, and there may be a role for patents. But we need to focus on how we can add value to society, to businesses and to the academic world rather than supporting a bureaucratic and legal system that is a parasite on innovation.