Software Patent News for February 11th:
- JPO Launches a project for public review of patent applications [East Meets West]
The JPO [Japanese Patent Office] launched a project for public review of patent applications similar to the USPTO’s “Peer-to-Patent” system. The project concentrates on patent applications in the information technology field (e.g. computers, software, networks, etc.). - Microsoft receives its 10,000th US patent [Ars Technica] –
. . .the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) ranked Microsoft’s patent portfolio first across all industries in terms of its power and influence for the second year in a row. It’s not just new patents though; Microsoft has been striking more patent cross-licensing deals as well . . .Bart Eppenauer, chief patent counsel for Microsoft states, “Most technology companies, Microsoft included, have been increasing their emphasis on IP in recent years, trying to derive greater business value from their intellectual assets. One way to value a patent portfolio is to look at the quantity of patents it contains. Another way is to look at the influence the portfolio has on others.”