IP strengthening angers big tech

Pushing back against Big Tech's predatory practices will require a renewed effort to fortify America's patent system. Patents serve an essential purpose in the American economy—incentivizing investment in new ideas and technologies. By promising patent holders exclusive rights to their creations for a limited time, patents ensure that inventors have a chance to reap the rewards of successful products. But Big Tech—eager to entrench its dominance—has used its clout in Washington to systematically attack the U.S. patent system and disadvantage smaller rivals. Legislative changes, as well as a number of troubling rulings, have made it more difficult to obtain, defend and enforce patents. For instance, the America Invents Act, passed by in 2011, created a new review process for the patent office. This process usually adds years of delay and makes it considerably more costly to defend one's patents, and increases the risk of losing intellectual property rights—all under lower standards than applied in court.