Been a while since I’ve seen Patent Reform news of note, but I did find an email solicitation I received earlier today from a provider of Japanese patent searching services interesting.  The email mentions that more patent applications are filed in Japan than in the US, and gives the following reasons (and I quote…):

1. Japan is a world leader in technology development and engineering.
2. Japanese first-to-file patent system creates a race of patent filing among Japanese companies.
3. Government engagement encourages companies to promote extensive filings, and strategic filings.
4. Japanese companies use the practice of patent flooding by filing many patent applications, claiming minor, incremental changes surrounding another patentee’s core technology.

[Emphasis added]. 

Hmm…considering how long it takes to get an issued patent in the US (27 months plus), any reform proposal that pushes first-to-file without a way to deal with patent pendency issues may have some nasty side effects…

Related posts:

1. First to File Unconstitutional?
2. File Lots of Continuing Applications? Those days are soon over…