Post 11: Revelation from smart-phone patent war

The patent war between Apple and Samsung provided us with some valuable inspirations. Let’s take a look at what we have learned so far. On Monday’s lecture, we defined the patent again as a way that intends to protect innovations within country to give inventors an exclusive period to prevent unauthorized use. However, when the technology has accumulated a considerable number of patents, the system may become he obstacle to innovation and cost highly for the whole community.

At the beginning, this system may encourage some good ideas and design patents. However, when patent infringement becomes a legal weapon, which has been used frequently, inventors and entrepreneurs have to spend a lot of energy to find out whether his/her invention may be infringement or be complained against. This would force companies to file lots of patent claims, or purchase a variety of patents to establish their own repository of patent. Sometimes, they do it not for using it, but hide it fight back their competitors, such as how Google bought Motorola.

In my opinion, the patent system has disobeyed its traditional theory of intellectual property right, which stimulates innovation while protects the interests of the inventor. We can see from Apple-Samsung patent law: the patent system not only increases social costs, but also becoming an obstacle to innovation and development. I think in order to ultimately benefit the public interest; the companies need genuine openness and innovation and see their own weakness.