Changes

The number of patent applications sent to the USPTO In recent years, there has continued to been an increase over the years. Although innovation has not slowed, critics of the patent system point to numerous flaws in the patent system and demand stricter reform. Generalized criticisms include patents slowing down or even preventing the government from enacting necessary policy reform legislation presented and the creation of impractical or pointless patents which result reviewed in expensive litigation [http://wwwCongress.wipo.int/patent-law/en/developments/intro.html]. More specifically, The USPTO continues This increase is due to grant patents without the necessary time or resources to search all relevant references. As of January 2016, the wide range criticisms on current patent backlog is 561,585 [http://www.uspto.gov/dashboards/patents/main.dashxml (USPTO)], leading to more cases being referred to lower, random courts. These courts increase the cost of processing a patent application institutions and rely on juries without technical or procedural expertise to decide whether high level technology or processes satisfy the requirements for protection [https://hbr.org/2015/03/why-congress-needs-to-pass-the-innovation-act-this-time]. Additionallypractices, critics believe that the amount of patent litigation and patent infringement claimed has created a "disastrous environment for innovation." [http://www.wired.com/2012/11/ff-steven-levy-the-patent-problem/ (Wired)] Litigation and lawsuits result in a significant decrease in product development as proven in 2015 as Google and Apple invested more in supporting patent purchases and litigation than in R&D.[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/technology/patent-wars-among-tech-giants-can-stifle-competition.html?_r=0 (NYT-PW)] The biotechnology industry as a whole provides new ethical challenges to the patent system and introduces new competitive threats such as me-too drugs. Me-too drugs are approved after a pioneering drug and function as substitutes [http://www.who.int/intellectualproperty/topics/ip/Me-tooDrugs_Hollis1.pdf (WHO)]which demand stricter reform.

USPTO: As of January 2016, the current patent backlog is 561,585 [http://www.uspto.gov/dashboards/patents/main.dashxml (USPTO)], leading to more cases being referred to lower, random courts. '''A patent backlog is the number of patent applications still waiting for review or approval.''' These courts increase the cost of processing a patent application and rely on juries without technical or procedural expertise to decide whether high level technology or processes satisfy the requirements for protection [https://hbr.org/2015/03/why-congress-needs-to-pass-the-innovation-act-this-time]. '''The primary complaints on USPTO continues to grant patents without the necessary time or resources to search all relevant references. ''' Patent Litigation: critics believe that the amount of patent litigation and patent infringement claimed has created a "disastrous environment for innovation." [http://www.wired.com/2012/11/ff-steven-levy-the -patent system are about -problem/ (Wired)] Litigation and lawsuits result in a significant decrease in product development as proven in 2015 as Google and Apple invested more in supporting patent pools purchases and litigation than in R&D.[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/technology/patent-wars-among-tech-giants-can-stifle-competition.html?_r=0 (NYT-PW)] Dummy patents the creation of impractical or pointless patents which result in expensive litigation [http://www.wipo.int/patent trolls-law/en/developments/intro.html].  New Industries: The Prize System has been suggested biotechnology industry as a whole provides new ethical challenges to the patent system and introduces new competitive threats such as me-too drugs. Me-too drugs are approved after a viable solution, though it carries its own set of riskspioneering drug and function as substitutes [http://www.who.int/intellectualproperty/topics/ip/Me-tooDrugs_Hollis1.pdf (WHO)]. Government Policy: patents slowing down or even preventing the government from enacting necessary policy reform