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September 01, 2006

Wiki this

The USPTO has put the brakes on their practice of citing Wikipedia as a source regarding patent validity.  Although Wiki is putting an emphasis on quality, there is always a risk using an encyclopedia that allows anyone to edit it.  I admit that I’ve checked Wikipedia on everything from Big Brother to Walmart, but I can’t imagine using it as a reference since there is always a possibility that my next door neighbor (the crazy one with the cats) authored it.  Sweet lady?  Yes.  Reliable?  Not so much.

Instead of allowing Wikipedia as a source, the USPTO may take the Wiki concept and use it in a pilot program for patent review.   This is in an effort to decrease the backlog and burden on examiners.  Users of the system would be allowed to weigh in on a patent under review similar to the same way you can add to Wikipedia.  Of course, this includes competitors, so to alleviate sabotaging, the program has a rating system and the examiner receives only the highest rated posts.  If all goes well, it looks like the system will roll out in 2007. 

Finally, on my quest in finding Wiki-type information regarding patent law, I ran across Wiki Democracy – a website with a very interesting concept.  Imagine the United States had no laws, what laws would you impose?  Of course, I checked the intellectual property section and to date there are no posts.  For as much talk and discussion revolves around patent reform, you would think someone would have posted at least one law.  Maybe it’s a lot harder than it looks.

Posted by Laura Wood at 11:02 AM.
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