I hold five software patents. Even though in my case I DID build the inventions, there is no requirement to do so.How has big tech not pushed harder for serious patent reform? When our forefathers were patenting little machines, fine, because they more or less had to build it to get the patent. But now companies can just patent vague tech they have no capacity or intent to build. It has to stop.
I agree we need patent reform, especially for “business process” patents, but often times, software and hardware patents aren’t “vague”, but we are encouraged to write them to be as broadly applicable as the patent examiner will allow. That’s because the application will often get severely narrowed down by the examiner.
Patents can really help protect small companies, like mine. And remember — we only get 20 years of patent protection.