Corruption - Innovation Gadfly

FEATURED

Vishal Amin and the USPTO: A Threat to American Innovation

Paul Morinville /

December 9, 2024

I first met Vishal Amin in October 2013. He was Representative Lamar Smith’s senior lawyer on the House Judiciary Committee driving the Innovation Act to passage. My company had just lost its investors due to the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act’s (AIA) creation of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Back then, the PTAB was […]

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The Foundation of Innovation: Why Was Patent Protection Enshrined in the US Constitution?

Andre DiMino /

- Corruption -

July 3, 2024

In the intricate framework of America’s founding documents, patent protection holds a specific and distinct place, reflecting the wise foresight of the founding fathers of our great country. The prominence of patent protection in the US Constitution was no afterthought; on the contrary, it emerged as a pivotal instrument to foster innovation, promote progress, and […]

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Heads I Win, Tails You Lose: How the USPTO Retains their Ill-gotten Gains (Part II)

Julie Burke and Michael Spector /

- Corruption -

June 12, 2024

As we are well aware, the patent examination process is complex. USPTO personnel, USPTO technology, inventors, and patent applicants can and do make mistakes. Regardless of how an error arises, there should be a workable, reliable, and consistent petition process to address and correct errors. When it comes to financial mistakes, 35 USC 42(d) authorizes. […]

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Corporate Lobbyists Pushing Harmful Laws on Genuine Inventors

Paul Morinville /

- Corruption -

May 31, 2024

Fake Inventors Pushing Bad Law for Real Inventors After eleven years walking the halls of Congress, I’ve learned a few things. The most important is that more than half the members of Congress are good people who look out for their constituents. They value feedback and try to improve the lives of the people they […]

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Highway Robbery: How the USPTO Pockets Excess Filing Fees (Part I)

Julie Burke and Michael Spector /

- Corruption -

May 26, 2024

$15,880 Gone! $13,900 Missing! $13,540 Taken! $17,120 Lifted! $6,390 Pilfered! $8,300 Borrowed! This article is dedicated to inventors and IP practitioners who have checked their USPTO deposit accounts only to realize “we’ve been robbed!” Unlike the burglar who stealthily snuck into Steve Martin and John Candy’s motel room in Planes, Trains and Automobiles under the […]

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Dear Congress, the PTAB Hinders Innovation and Threatens National Security

Paul Morinville /

- Corruption -

May 14, 2024

PTAB hinders innovation threats national security

The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) effectively invalidates 84% of the patents it fully adjudicates. That fact comes directly from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) PTAB Trial Statistics FY23 End of Year Outcome. This astronomical PTAB invalidation rate has effectively shut down investment in early-stage startups, particularly in vital sectors that require […]

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Shut Up! Denied Right to Defend Your Rights

Randy Landreneau /

- Corruption -

May 7, 2024

Inventors naturally solve problems that others have not. Tom Waugh had a successful business in Alabama, providing fittings and parts for utility poles and electrical systems. Utility poles must be strong and durable, especially tall ones with many lines. The metal utility poles that existed before Tom got involved required taking large sheets of metal […]

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Debunking Big Tech’s False Argument: Patent Legislation Won’t Raise Drug Prices

Paul Morinville /

- Corruption -

April 2, 2024

In the U.S. Senate, there is a push to markup the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA) and the Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership Act (PREVAIL). Both are patent-related legislation introduced in the Senate, and PREVAIL has been introduced in the House. The recent lobbying blitz by those on all sides of the […]

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The Electronic Frontier Foundation: the Lobbyists Destroying US Innovation

Paul Morinville /

- Corruption -

March 20, 2024

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. 501(c)(3)s are largely prohibited from lobbying for candidates or legislation, even though a small portion of a 501(c)(3)’s resources can be used to lobby for legislation. The EFF lobbies a lot on many issues. Among those issues, for many years, the EFF has lobbied heavily […]