IBM tackles US patent chaos

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IBM has also announced that it will reduce the number of business-method patents it files unless they have a substantial technological content.

Furthermore the company has promised to lend many of its patent specialists to the USPTO to help it clear the backlog of applications.

Economists at the World Economic Forum in January said that they expect IBM soon to be overtaken in patent filing by companies in China and India.

Big Blue's move to overhaul its own patent procedures, and encourage others to do the same, is seen as anticipating this eventuality.

"The centrepiece of this policy, and our actions to support it, is based on the principles that patent quality is a responsibility of the applicant," said Dr John Kelly, senior vice president for technology and intellectual property at IBM.

"These principles are as relevant in emerging regions of the world as they are in more mature economies.

"IBM is holding itself to a higher standard than any law requires because it is urgent that patent quality is improved, to stimulate innovation and provide greater clarity for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights."

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