Pantently-O writes “In Dissent, Judge Mayer thought the decision did not go far enough: “Affording patent protection to business methods lacks constitutional and statutory support, serves to hinder rather than promote innovation and usurps that which rightfully belongs in the public domain.” Citing work by Professors Dreyfuss and Pollack, Mayer argues that business method patents have the overall effect of stifling innovation by restricting competition.”

TechDirt had an article “CAFC Judge Regrets Decisions That Resulted In Software Patents” In terms of unintended consequences Greenspan referring to the financial crisis is quoted by the NY Times as saying “humbled Mr. Greenspan admitted that he had put too much faith in the self-correcting power of free markets and had failed to anticipate the self-destructive power of wanton mortgage lending.” Unlimited patentability would have unintended self-destructive consequence of stifling free enterprise.

TechDirt also writes: “Nobel Prize Winning Physicist Explains How Intellectual Property Damages Innovation” While no one likes to deprive anyone of an income, there is a point where unfettered greed is destructive to society. Patents and copyright were never meant to guarantee anyone an unlimited income. They are meant to foster innovation by providing a limited benefit to the creator and to provide society with a benefit too. We need to return to that concept.

BobL
Chicago