Patent Wars, a new kind of competition

Tech companies are taking different approaches when it comes to intellectual property.

Patents were developed to create more incentives for people to invest time and money in research and development, which in turn would advance technology.

However, some argue the current patent wars are limiting innovation as more and more money is spent on patent lawsuits instead of technological advancement.

Big companies are making large patent purchases. Google bought Motorola and its more than 17,000 mobile-related patents, and Facebook spent $550 million on patents from Microsoft to bolster its legal battle with Yahoo.

Twitter, on the other hand, announced the Innovator’s Patent Agreement, promising not to use patents in a way that harms innovation.

Are patents encouraging or hindering technological advancement?

In this episode, we speak to Jorge Contreras, law professor at American University; Richard Stallman, President of the Free Software Foundation; and Michael Kanellos, Vice President of Eastwick Communications.

What do you think? Do patent laws protect or harm innovators? Send us your thoughts and comments on Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #AJStream.

View the story "Patent Wars, a new kind of competition" on StorifyPatent Wars, a new kind of competitionTech companies are taking different approaches when it comes to intellectual property.Storified by The Stream · Tue, Apr 24 2012 11:44:16undefinedStaticflickr

Software patents have increasingly become subject to a high-stakes bidding war among major technology companies. Microsoft, after purchasing patents belonging to AOL for $1 billion, sold 650 of them to Facebook this week for $550 million, presumably to aid Facebook in its lawsuit against Yahoo. These charts show the complicated web of patent lawsuits, specifically among mobile companies.

undefinedFloridaipblogundefinedTheandroidsiteDespite Google taking control of Motorola's 17,000 existing patents in a $12.5 billion purchase last year, the company's Android phone has been the target of numerous lawsuits as well. Since 2010, there have been close to 30 cases alleging patent infringement in the design of Google's Android phone. A lawsuit is currently underway over the Android's use of Java, a programming language that is patented but that Google claims is not subject to copyright. undefinedNetdna-cdnIn an effort to change the offensive tactics used by companies, Twitter announced a new "Innovator's Patent Agreement" on its blog on April 17. The aim of the agreement is to use patents only defensively, although there are a number of exceptions that maintain the right to sue in some cases.Excited to announce the Innovator's Patent Agreement and put control back in the hands of engineers and designers. http://engineering.twitter.com/2012/04/introducing-innovators-patent-agreement.html #IPAAdam MessingerundefinedStaticflickr A full copy of the agreement is available here. undefinedStaticflickrDrew Curtis, the founder of Fark.com, describes in a TED talk the growing industry in patent lawsuits, and how his website became one of the only technology companies to defeat a suit brought against them. The lawsuit was over a patent on the "distribution of news releases via email."Drew Curtis: How I beat a patent trolltedtalksdirectorThe following images are slides from Drew Curtis's TED presentation. undefinedStaticflickrundefinedStaticflickrundefinedStaticflickrundefinedStaticflickrundefinedStaticflickrundefinedStaticflickrundefinedStaticflickrA patent is an intellectual property right granted by the United States government to an inventor in order “to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States or importing the invention into the United States.” Below is an instructional video given to jury members in United States courts for patent lawsuits. An Introduction to the Patent Systempublicresourceorg"Patent troll" is a negative term for an opportunistic person or company that purchases and enforces patents aggressively against infringers. Companies can use patents to stifle competition and protect their own intellectual property, or by purchasing patents from other inventors, and use the patent system to generate revenue. "The Ballad of the Patent Troll" dispels commonly held myths about patents.Patent Troll.mp4spideywebb888This video discusses the link between patents and business monopolies, as well as the reasons broad patents are desirable. The Original Patent TrolllabellevueAfter Twitter's Innovator's Protection Agreement was announced, employees were receptive to proposed changes to the agreement on an online forum.Thats how our lawyers roll. “@JaredCrawford: Twitter just merged my suggestion of a legal clause into #IPA. https://github.com/twitter/innovators-patent-agreement/commit/4ade55c1db6cdb9fba1aa05a4186b2cfa6dbd194 #pumped”Sam Pullara@marco_org Two proposed patches on GitHub already, would be great if you wanted to submit one too. Or fork and modify for your needs. #IPAAdam MessingerThis infographic explains "The Problem with Patents." undefinedNetdna-cdnOpponents of software patents argue that it stifles innovation and harms small inventors. A 2012 study suggests that making a patented innovation accessible to the competition is likely to lead to further breakthroughs, while also raising profits for the original innovator.undefinedStaticflickrundefinedStaticflickrundefinedNetdna-cdnThe creators of Speak for Yourself, a communication app for the iPad, were sued for patent infringement by two major augmented and alternative communication companies. A mother whose daughter had benefited from the app discussed the lawsuit here. First time seeing the Speak for Yourself appdmgnieder

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Patent Wars, a new kind of competition

Patent Wars, a new kind of competition

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