Some proposed fixes to the US patent system, but is it even broken?

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Some proposed fixes to the US patent system, but is it even broken?

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has released a white paper it says is the culmination of two-and-a-half years’ worth of research that outlines a plan to fix a broken patent system

The “Defend Innovation” whitepaper says overbroad and vague patents, combined with an insufficient review process by the USPTO, have hindered rather than supported innovation. The whitepaper concludes that the result is abuse by patent trolls and an explosion in software patents leading to a patent arms race.

The whole whitepaper is worth a read but I’ll save you some legwork and reveal the six fixes the EFF proposes:

  • Passing measures that focus on strengthening patent quality – such as reaffirming limits on functional claiming and ending continuation abuse – as well as implementing inexpensive, efficient tools to challenge the validity of issued patents.

  • Passing a comprehensive patent litigation reform bill, such as the Innovation Act, that levels the playing field and removes systemic advantages for patent trolls.

  • Ending the Federal Circuit’s exclusive jurisdiction over patent cases, so that other appellate courts have a chance to offer alternative approaches and legal interpretations.

  • Passing meaningful reform to discourage bad actors from sending frivolous demand letters.

  • Putting a stop to “forum shopping,” the ability for patent owners to file suit in distant favorable districts that have minimal ties to defendant.

  • These legislative reforms should be combined with action by the Patent Office to modernize its procedures (such as its use of online resources and databases) and promote patent clarity. The courts, for their part, could seek to limit exorbitant damages awards.

  • Private parties also have a role to play. For example, companies could encourage open innovation by adopting alternative patent licensing schemes that prevent patents from being abused by trolls.

Other than targeted reform to stop frivolous demand letters being sent – which is pretty hard to argue against on its face – these fixes are enough to start fierce arguments.

Pro-patent types will point out – rightly – that the Supreme Court last year already made it harder to obtain and to keep certain types of software patents, in Alice v CLS Bank, as well as relaxed the standard for awarding attorney’s fees, in Octane Fitness v Icon Health & Fitness.

In addition, unlike a few years ago, it is far from clear that patent litigation is increasing. My Twitter feed has been a hotbed of increasingly bitter arguments recently over patent litigation statistics, with this just one example.

Expect the rancor to increase even further as patent reform gets debated during the next weeks and months. 

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Kelly Thompson, chair of South African firm Adams & Adams, discusses self-belief, self-doubt, and the importance of saying yes
The renowned food brands were represented by a host of lawyers, including members of the firms’ IP teams
Partners at Bird & Bird and Taylor Wessing discuss how Saudi Arabia offers unique opportunities for firms dealing in IP and tech
Attorneys explain why there are early signs that the US Supreme Court could rule in favour of ISP Cox in a copyright dispute
A swathe of UPC-related hires suggests firms are taking the forum seriously, as questions over the transitional stage begin
A win for Nintendo in China and King & Spalding hiring a prominent patent litigator were also among the top talking points
Rebecca Newman at Addleshaw Goddard, who live-reported on the seminal dispute, unpicks the trials and tribulations of the case and considers its impact
Attorneys predict how Lululemon’s trade dress and design patent suit against Costco could play out
Lawyers at Linklaters analyse some of the key UPC trends so far, and look ahead to life beyond the transition period
David Rodrigues, who previously worked at an IP boutique, said he may become more involved in transactional work at his new firm
Gift this article