Patent trolls

[Kevadu]

I don't normally post this kind of stuff here, but This American Life had a really good show recently discussing patent trolls and the problems with the patent system.  This is something I think everyone should listen to.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/441/when-patents-attack

[John]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/1/2/

[Vanguard]

I heard this show too and I agree, it's great. Actually, NPR has to try really hard to disappoint me most days. I tune in at least once a day.

[Ramza]

I am SO big on ThisAmericanLife. I've listened to every show back to episode 305, and working my way backwards thanks to the Internet.

This week's show was great. Their best one since that drug court episode that got them in a lawsuit of their own.

[Parn]

I heard this show too and I agree, it's great. Actually, NPR has to try really hard to disappoint me most days. I tune in at least once a day.

Likewise.  I had to throw some money their way since Rick Scott decided to pull funding to NPR in Florida.

[Sensei Phoenix]

I'm a big NPR and This American Life fan. I thought this program was interesting, particularly because I used to work at a patent lawfirm up until a week ago. Most of our clients were mid-tier companies and individual inventors. Most of our clients were developing patents for drugs and therapies to fight cancer, but they ranged from designs for beds to 3D specs technology.

Our firm didn't do much litigation (suing) but mostly did prosecution (getting stuff patented in the first place). Before I left, though, I was working with an attorney on a case for litigation in China, and let me tell you, it may be easy to litigate in the US, but internationally, it's a pain in the ass.

We didn't deal with software, though, and that's what this program focuses on; it's harder to troll patents for pharmaceuticals, though not impossible. But seeing the amount of money involved in these patents, I can understand how appealing (and devious) being a troll is.