> Or, the researchers admit, it could mean that the examiners are getting more laid back about giving approvals over time. I would agree with this. My dad is a

> Or, the researchers admit, it could mean that the examiners are getting more laid back about giving approvals over time. I would agree with this. My dad is a senior patent examiner at the USPTO. After working his way up, he's become a lazy GS14 (and so have all of his coworkers). Apparently, people at the patent office stop working hard after they reach GS13. I guess it's symptomatic of doing government work. I don't mean to disparage government work, but approving patents isn't what you think of when someone says "public service". I see the same sort of thing at large companies as well. If anyone has questions about how things work at the USPTO, let me know and I'll ask him.