I read today a factoid that said innovation was down because patents were being filed less (2 percent iirc). Interesting that someone would think that the numb

I read today a factoid that said innovation was down because patents were being filed less (2 percent iirc). Interesting that someone would think that the number of patents was a direct way one could measure innovation. My interpretation was that possibly less irresponsible patent grabbing was taking place because due to the recession there was less incentive to spend money patenting, and more incentive to keep businesses alive through real innovation. Of course, I could be completely wrong.