SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
The EFF reports that Senate Judiciary Committee chair Patrick Leahy has announced that he is taking the Innovation Act off the Judiciary Committee's agenda. According to Senator Leahy's official statement:
Unfortunately, there has been no agreement on how to combat the scourge of patent trolls on our economy without burdening the companies and universities who rely on the patent system every day to protect their inventions. We have heard repeated concerns that the House-passed bill went beyond the scope of addressing patent trolls, and would have severe unintended consequences on legitimate patent holders who employ thousands of Americans.
I have said all along that we needed broad bipartisan support to get a bill through the Senate. Regrettably, competing companies on both sides of this issue refused to come to agreement on how to achieve that goal.
However, the Innovation Act passed 325-91 in the House with strong bipartisan support, as well as massive support from industry as well, and the President has signalled his support for the initiative. The EFF comments:
Leahy effectively deferred a problem—a serious problem he readily admits exists—in order to please the pharmaceutical, biotech, and university lobbies that are hardly the victims of patent trolls anyway... What Senator Leahy really means, is that he does not support a deal and is willing to be the final roadblock.
(Score: 4, Funny) by bucc5062 on Thursday May 22 2014, @06:01PM
If somehow you can add, on the computer or on the internet I think you're golden.
The more things change, the more they look the same
(Score: 2) by Tork on Thursday May 22 2014, @07:35PM
What's funny about this statement and its subsequent 'funny' moderation is that the 'on a computer' stipulation means the patent is not broad, but rather very specific. It's that same reason that a company like Nike wouldn't be able to sue a company like Belkin because their network cables infringe on a patent on preventing shoelaces from fraying. This is actually what people want, despite the crap the green-site fed you all for years.
Perhaps if tech news sites didn't use headlines like: "Microsoft Patents Page Turning!!!1!" there'd be a lot less anger on the matter.
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈