patent office short staffed and turning huge profit

[Jroettger]

I read in the paper today that the US Patent office takes in $150 to $230 million more in user fees than congress appropriates to it. Congress takes the surplus money and uses it for other spending leaving the patent office sorely underfunded and stymieing business investment into patents pending approval. It said it takes 3 to 5 years now to get a patent. During this time new job creating inventions are on hold waiting investors confidence in their exclusivity. The new Patent director supposedly has Obama's agreement on the need for immediate increase in funding. When I think of patents I always think of Steve Lindsay's great inventions.

[leroytwohawks]

I hope they get things together! At this rate by the time you get through the red-tape the ideas been stolen, copied in some 3rd world country sold around the world and becomes obsolete. And if it's computer based then the last part of that equation happens in a week

Kevin