Did someone just patent the process of patent trolling? USPTO: 0080270152
appft1.uspto.gov
appft1.uspto.gov
I already patented 'a method of subverting the patent system by patenting the process of patent trolling."
I'm totally going to sue.
and Halliburton -- oh crap.
Whew, that could have been bad.
X launches a patent-trolling suit to try to get in on Y's patent. These guys launch a countersuit at X for using their patented technique, stalling the original suit. The best part is, the evidence for the countersuit is already known to the court...
With regard to subject matter, the applicant makes two arguments: (1) patents are like personal property, so they satisfy the "transformation of matter" prong of Bilski; and (2) one of the steps involves computer research (basically, Google searching), which involves a machine.
With regard to obviousness, the patent applicant argues that the prosecution manual does not contain all the steps of the claimed method.
In my mind, the big issue is that the applicant most likely wrote the claims up based on what other patent trolls have done before. Besides the fact that this means that his claims are anticipated by prior use, it means that he is not the original inventor of the claims, making them unpatentable.
Both their time and energy can be used on better things.
So, are there any patent lawyers in our midst who can attest to the meaning of this patent application? Is this actually what it appears to be?
You are using my patented method for patent trolling. I'm suing you!
[Edit] Why the downvote?
Methods for a first party to acquire and assert a patent property against a second party are disclosed. The methods include obtaining an equity interest in the patent property. The methods further include writing a claim within the scope of the patent property. The claim is written to cover a product of the second party where the product includes a secret aspect. The methods further include filing the claim with a patent office. The methods sometimes include offering a license of the patent property to the second party after the patent property issues as a patent with the claim. The methods sometimes include asserting infringement of the claim by the second party after the patent property issues as a patent with the claim. The methods sometimes include negotiating a cross-license with the second party based on the assertion of infringement of the claim, where under the cross-license the first party obtains a license to an intellectual property right from the second party. The methods sometime include attempting to obtain a monetary settlement from the second party based on the assertion of infringement of the claim.
And next, "A method and process for preventing patent litigation through acquiring patents and threatening to counter sue."
I'll be unstoppable!
http://techdirt.com/articles/20081107/0118162765.shtml Yes, everyone's favorite "Halliburton".