Having filed multiple patents, it does not leave a good taste in your mouth (esp software patents). You know you are bullshitting but unfortunately it needs to be done because others will do it and deny you to use the invention.
Fully agree. Over 20 years ago, I did the same job as the Patent Engineer (I had a slightly different title, but same role) at a big law firm. Half of the patents I filed were BS software patents for a name brand tech company, and the other half were for actually novel and cool inventions for things like super-efficient distillation/chilling systems for coffee and satellite antennas for moving vehicles.
Getting that job was almost as easy as getting a software job in 2019. I had a masters in EE and a few years of SWE experience. I sent out 5 applications to top local law firms, got 3 interviews, and one offer over the course of a month. Apparently, the bulk of people in that role were post-docs in bio/chem who weren't excited about managing student loan debt while being underpaid lab people. (The EE/CS contingent was 5 out of 30 in the role, and I was the only one with actual SWE experience, so it gave the me and the firm creditability with inventors)
My salary matched my SWE salary, I had my own office + secretary, and the firm paid overtime and law school tuition. They also charged $250/hour for my time. I also only lasted about year in that role since it was very isolating and not collaborative.
The coolest part of that whole experience came a couple years later when I went to dinner with my wife, her close friend, and the friend's serious boyfriend. In the "what do you do" chit chat, he mentioned working with someone on a new way to brew and chill coffee quickly that they were close to bringing to market.
When I asked if it works like [describes invention exactly] his mind was absolutely blown away. As it turns out, I wrote their patent.
This assertion needs a lawsuit and deep pockets. Most startups will not be able to do this.
Infact the patent holder can file a lawsuit against a startup. Now even if the startup can prove that the patent is invalid, it has to spend precious money on the lawsuit.
Yes, we live in a world where patents exist. It's still possible to be correct about certain things in that world, and the fact that one does not like that patents exist doesn't entitle people to be incorrect about how the patent system works.
