Patents and Innovation

Summary

The McNair Center Project on Patents and Innovation reports on the current issues facing America's patent system and works to explain critical terminology. In addition to providing basic information on patent institutions, the project specifically investigates current and proposed reform acts and the effects of patent trolling in litigation.

Project Outline

Works in Progress

• The academic paper on patent trolls explores their role in patent activity and litigation in America. Additionally, the paper will expound several hypotheses regarding the definition of a patent troll and the efficacy of reform legislation.
• The Patent Thicket Literature Review Paper seeks to formally define the term patent thicket by analyzing and condensing the seven proposed definitions.

Future Work

• An academic paper investigating the challenges and the inequalities a small business, or the "Little Guy", faces in patent litigation.
• A Wiki Page describing the role and the structure of the U.S. Patent Office as well as presenting public criticism of the institution.
• An issue brief analyzing the success and the shortcomings of current patent reform acts.