Democrats Are Against Big Business, Right?
That's the meme. The Democrats are the brave resistance against the big, mean, nasty corporations. We get treated regularly to that particular meme. So why did a lot of them just vote for a huge benefit for some of the wealthiest companies in the world. Like, you know, Microsoft?
The Coalition for Patent Fairness and the Business Software Alliance, whose members include high-tech titans such as Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp., lauded the decision as a boon for inventors and consumers.
Co-sponsored by Reps. Howard Berman, D-Calif., and Lamar Smith, R-Texas, the bill seeks to improve patent quality and reduce patent litigation, which can be a costly and time-consuming exercise for firms of all sizes.
The legislation would limit damage awards for patent infringement and grant patents to the first inventor to file an application, a switch from current law in which the patent goes to the first person to develop the innovation.
The bill also increase information available to patent examiners and creates a post-approval patent re-evaluation process.
Opponents of the bill included pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, such as Johnson & Johnson and Amgen Inc., who say it weakens patent protection by reducing infringement penalties and permitting post-approval challenges to patents.
Manufacturing companies, including General Electric Co. and Caterpillar Inc., and technology companies that rely heavily on patent licensing, such as semiconductor-maker Qualcomm Inc., also opposed the bill.
The Innovation Alliance, a group representing Qualcomm and many smaller technology companies, said Friday before the vote that it would "radically alter" the patent system "to mitigate the potential litigation costs of the few wealthiest companies in the world."
Did you catch that one line I highlighted? "The legislation would limit damage awards for patent infringement and grant patents to the first inventor to file an application." That sounds like a huge gimme for the giant companies with huge resources, doesn't it? Here's the vote tally. 160 Democrats and 60 Republicans voted for it.
By Carol, Friday, 7 September , 2007 @ 9:57 pm
It seems deeply wrong to me but Bill Gates announced several years ago that he is a democrat. It’s not too surprising in Seattle, home of some of the guiltiest rich folk in the world. His mother originated some “charity” campaign encouraging people to give 5% of the income or (and?) 5% of their time to the cause of their choice. I was always appalled at this rich woman who probably never had to work a day in her life telling me what to do with my precious free time. And of course Bill’s daddy is a huge opponent of any repeal or lessening of federal estate taxes. What does he care - he got his already by being a lawyer. I do love plutocrats who know what is best for the rest of us peons.
So really, this big Democratic vote - it’s just payback.
By TC@LeatherPenguin, Saturday, 8 September , 2007 @ 1:31 pm
This lawsuit gives the Big Dogs like Microsoft free reign to violate patents held by smaller, less cash-rich companies/individuals at will.
“Go ahead; we got more lawyers and more money; we’ll just stonewall you until you are broke.”