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I'm glad Posner and a few other justices seem to have an interest in discrediting frivolous patent cases but can they do anything other than point a dirty finge

I'm glad Posner and a few other justices seem to have an interest in discrediting frivolous patent cases but can they do anything other than point a dirty finger at corporations for abusing the patent system and dismiss their cases with prejudice? Posner can't shift around his appointments indefinitely. It's obvious that most HNers feel the patent system won't change any time soon or they wouldn't be filling this thread with a discussion on the definition of a line segment. Edit: I'm not saying he should do more. I was asking if he could do more from his position. I recognize that he's bringing needed attention to the subject and setting an example that will probably be followed by others in the judiciary.

neilk 14y ago
Exactly what do you want him to do? He could not be a judge and also be an activist. Speaking this clearly from the bench - a position of impartial authority - is probably the best he can do.
ChicagoTown 14y ago
Patent trolls need to go to court in certain states to be effective. States like Texas are a big part of the patent troll problem. The courts there welcome the insanity with open arms. If we could clone Posner and put him in every state, this type of ridiculous patent litigation from IT companies would not be such a viable course of action. Maybe it's not a question of what one justice can do, but a question of people taking a greater interest in their local and federal court systems. Are the courts in your state giving the go-ahead to frivolous patent proceedings from IT companies? Do you think that is a good thing? Is the time and expense for the courts to hear these cases warranted? Take an interest, as you did with SOPA. Imagine if there was a calling campaign to state bar associations instead of state politicians. Believe me, it would get noticed. Most people just do not care about this stuff enough to take an interest. That said, there are a lot of people who support this patent trolling nonsense. It doesn't fly in Chicago, but it's par for the course in Washington and California. Good luck rallying the troops in those places. Many of them are part of patent trolling machine. It's what their employers and clients do.

neilk 14y ago

Exactly what do you want him to do? He could not be a judge and also be an activist. Speaking this clearly from the bench - a position of impartial authority - is probably the best he can do.

ChicagoTown 14y ago

Patent trolls need to go to court in certain states to be effective. States like Texas are a big part of the patent troll problem. The courts there welcome the insanity with open arms. If we could clone Posner and put him in every state, this type of ridiculous patent litigation from IT companies would not be such a viable course of action. Maybe it's not a question of what one justice can do, but a question of people taking a greater interest in their local and federal court systems. Are the courts in your state giving the go-ahead to frivolous patent proceedings from IT companies? Do you think that is a good thing? Is the time and expense for the courts to hear these cases warranted? Take an interest, as you did with SOPA. Imagine if there was a calling campaign to state bar associations instead of state politicians. Believe me, it would get noticed. Most people just do not care about this stuff enough to take an interest. That said, there are a lot of people who support this patent trolling nonsense. It doesn't fly in Chicago, but it's par for the course in Washington and California. Good luck rallying the troops in those places. Many of them are part of patent trolling machine. It's what their employers and clients do.