A Software Patent War: The Effects of Patent Trolls on Startup Companies, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

Authors

Sonia Karakashian

Abstract

This note analyzes the effects of patent trolls on startup companies and the issues that software patentability under 35 U.S.C. § 101 impose on this highly controversial area of intellectual property. This note elaborates on the current patent reforms as well as the common law struggles addressed in Supreme Court decisions. Further, it discusses the software patent war and the controversial issues raised in § 101 of the patent system followed by the issues of patentability and its effects on startup companies. Lastly, this note discusses short-term and long-term progress in the patent system, as well as address the current state of the law today. This note comes to the conclusion that although issues of patentability and protecting companies from patent trolls may be raised in the Supreme Court, the solution ultimately lies in the hands of the legislature.

Recommended Citation

Sonia Karakashian, A Software Patent War: The Effects of Patent Trolls on Startup Companies, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, 11 Hastings Bus. L.J. 119 (2015).
Available at: https://repository.uclawsf.edu/hastings_business_law_journal/vol11/iss1/6