# Toward a Better Patent System

By [Continuations](https://continuations.com) · 2013-05-09

patents, software, reform

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Another topic that I have written a lot about [here on Continuations](http://gawk.it/search?forum=continuations&search_type=blogs&query=patents) are patents and in particular software patents. While there is a lot of reform that I would love to see I have also come to appreciate that sometimes the only way to get there is in small steps. One relatively meaningful step was [just introduced](http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57583111-38/patent-quality-improvement-act-hits-congress/) by [Senator Schumer](http://www.schumer.senate.gov/). The basic idea is to allow for a much fast tracked review of many of the suspect business process patents used by [patent trolls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll) to sue startups and larger tech companies. Because of changes in the interpretation of patent law many of these fast track reviews have a good shot at invalidating the patents. For a more detailed comment on this proposal, please read [Nick Grossman](http://nickgrossman.is/)’s [post over at USV](http://www.usv.com/2013/05/the-patent-quality-improvement-act.php).

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*Originally published on [Continuations](https://continuations.com/toward-a-better-patent-system)*