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EFF worried patent reform will halt watchdog project

6 February 2008 14:23 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 11 comments

As patent reform legislation makes its way through the U.S. Congress the reaction from EFF activists has been generally positive. However, that may be changing now that they've examined a Senate Judiciary Committee report on the version of the legislation which recently passed the House of Representatives. According to that report, the Patent Reform Act of 2007 changes the rules for third parties like the EFF, making it virtually impossible for them to challenge patents except within the first 12 months after its approval.

Currently the EFF's Patent Busting Project is working to get a number of patents nullified, including 1-click online shopping (U.S. Patent No. 5,960,411), online shopping carts (U.S. Patent No. 5,715,314), hyperlinking (U.S. Patent No. 4,873,662.), Streaming video (U.S. Patent No. 5,132,992), and popup windows (U.S. Patent No. 6,389,458). Although many individuals and organizations have spoken out about patent reform in the U.S., the EFF has gone a step further to legal action, wihch appears to be in jeapordy of being halted as the project picks up steam.

Under current law, an organization with no direct financial interest in a patent must already provide funding to pay for the many man-hours involved in a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) investigation. It seems odd that what appears to be an essential check against abuse of the patent system would be eliminated in the name of reform.

Permalink to this article | Topic: Lawsuits & Legislation

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Discuss this article!
catfreak (AfterDawn Addict) 6 February 2008 14:29
So does this mean that my patent covering on-line news stories is going to be overturned? [ + quote]
Ludikhris (Inactive) 6 February 2008 16:26
I hoep this goes through. The EFF have been threatening to challenge my patent of the letter 'A'. After years of sponsoring shows such as "seasame street" I can't believe they are trying to shoot down our patents on wide ranges of general items. Just remember: anytime you use the letter "a" you owe me $.05 [ + quote]
joe777 (Junior Member) 6 February 2008 17:47
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ah agree with that, remember me? your long lost twin who helped you discover the letter 'a'. Right wheres that list of cars I always wanted!!! [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 7 February 2008 7:52
Oh reform to remove oversight....how I love thee. [ + quote]
joe777 (Junior Member) 7 February 2008 16:55
Very good ZIP you didnt use the letter 'a' once. Come on, you no, you must do it. Lol [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 7 February 2008 16:59
*Originally posted by joe777:* Very good ZIP you didnt use the letter 'a' once. Come on, you no, you must do it. Lol Aarrrggg matey! :P For all the console/game fanboys out their. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles...Console-Rundown Oh god I can't stop laughing!!! --- And for the format nazi's I bring you HHD DVVD BVD's!! [ + quote]
Hardwyre (Newbie) 7 February 2008 20:25
The EFF is awesome. THERE'S a group of people with their heads on their shoulders. Like the whole "RIAA vs. The People" the people report you should take a read through it if you feel so inclined. It makes so much sense it's scary. You can read it here: RIAA_at_FOUR [ + quote]
varnull (AfterDawn Addict) 7 February 2008 20:33
I'm a member.. Where does it look like a fair democracy when patent abuses can't be challenged? In a state that isn't a fair and open democracy.. in a state where big business theft and exploitation are the norm, elected representatives represent themselves and their pockets and ordinary people have lost hope of change that's where. viva la revolution.. [ + quote]
joe777 (Junior Member) 8 February 2008 21:09
*Originally posted by ZippyDSM:* *Originally posted by joe777:* Very good ZIP you didnt use the letter 'a' once. Come on, you no, you must do it. Lol Aarrrggg matey! :P Thats more like it!!!!! Aarrrggg to you to matey. Now that will be 10 cents for my twin and I. Major credit cards are welcome and paypal also. But please do not send monopoly money as our source @ disneyworld does not have a good exchange rate:P [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 8 February 2008 22:08
*Originally posted by joe777:* *Originally posted by ZippyDSM:* *Originally posted by joe777:* Very good ZIP you didnt use the letter 'a' once. Come on, you no, you must do it. Lol Aarrrggg matey! :P Thats more like it!!!!! Aarrrggg to you to matey. Now that will be 10 cents for my twin and I. Major credit cards are welcome and paypal also. But please do not send monopoly money as our source @ disneyworld does not have a good exchange rate:P the way the USD is falling monopoly money would be worth investing in :P For all the console/game fanboys out their. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles...Console-Rundown Oh god I can't stop laughing!!! --- And for the format nazi's I bring you HHD DVVD BVD's!! [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 2 March 2008 7:18
They are just creating more red tape and with each new law comes a new loop hole. [ + quote]