Heads up: Israel software patents

[Shlomi Fish]

On Sunday 13 Dec 2009 11:26:03 geoffrey mendelson wrote:
> On Dec 13, 2009, at 9:42 AM, Oron Peled wrote:
> > Watch out, the land grab is heading our way...
> 
> Or depending upon your point of view, about to end.
> 

Really...

> > "The Israeli Patent Office (IPO) has launched a consultation on
> > whether
> >  or not to allow software patents, with a February 2010 deadline"
> 
> IMHO it's a move toward regaining lost relevancy. For a long time now,
> it's been much cheaper, easier and useful to file a US patent
> application, and then file a Patent Cooperation Treaty application in
> Israel. If the US patent is approved, the PCT application is given a
> rubber stamp.
> 
> They are hoping to move the large flow of Israeli money to the US
> patent office back home. If you figure about half of the patent
> applications from Israeli companies filed in the US are for software,
> that's a lot of money to keep here. Now if they were to accept
> applications in English (they may do already, I have NEVER met anyone
> who filed an Israeli patent), it and offered quick service, it would
> be worth it to file here and PCT to the US instead of the current
> method.

What makes you think an Israeli patent would be valid in the USA? That's like 
a mouse challenging an elephant. And it may open the gates for many USA 
companies suing Israeli software companies for damages on patent grounds for 
patents files in the USA or Israel, and many Israeli companies be fearful of 
patents. See:

http://www.forbes.com/asap/2002/0624/044.html

> 
> IMHO your time would be better spent not fighting software patents
> totally, as that would go against what they want. If you present
> arguments of what is wrong with the US system and how a better, saner
> implementation can be accomplished, they may just decide it's too much
> effort and expense.

Who will and why? I am unable to parse this last sentence of yours.

Regards,

	Shlomi Fish

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Shlomi Fish       http://www.shlomifish.org/
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