US Judge Criticises the Patent System

Richard Posner, a judge for the 7th US Circuit of Appeals in Chicago, has publicly criticised the patent system as it applies to the technology industry. In his opinion, the current behaviour of technology companies when it comes to patents is unacceptable. Posner recently rejected patent lawsuits between Apple and Motorola on the grounds that no actual damage could been proven in these cases.

According to Posner, current lawsuits are an extension of the marketplace, where companies are constantly vying for market dominance. High profit margins and fast-paced development in the technology sector only fuel this behaviour further...