Source: Michelle K. Lee on "Speaking Truth to Patents" (video)

THIS morning someone sent us this important report which we had already included in our daily links. It suggests that, if Trump gets his way (as he typically does), the USPTO will be run by a law firm (patent 'industry'), at least sort of, as opposed to technology companies. That's what it looks like at least based on the background of Iancu, who is "currently the managing partner of Irell & Manella LLP, a Los Angeles-based law firm that focuses on intellectual property law," according to The Hill. There's more behind paywalls [1, 2] and computer-generated videos like this.

"It suggests that, if Trump gets his way (as he typically does), the USPTO will be run by a law firm (patent 'industry'), at least sort of, as opposed to technology companies."To better understand if this is bad news or good news we turn to the blogs of notorious patent maximalists; if they're happy, it's bad news for technology; if they're upset, then it's certainly good news. Well, Crouch did not say very much. Perhaps he knows too little about the person or he is just eager to put out there the information as soon as possible.

"This, to us, means that Iancu (if appointed, not just nominated) would be friendly towards parasites."What worries us is that rather than a technical person (like Michelle Lee) being put in charge it's basically a law firm that's behind a lot of litigation. As Watchtroll put it today: "The fact that Iancu represented TiVo, a patent owner, against big tech in Silicon Valley will undoubtedly lead to a warm reception in certain patent owner segments of the patent community. Iancu and his firm have a reputation for suing big tech while representing patent owners, and he himself also served as counsel for San Jose-based touch feedback tech firm Immersion Corporation in a patent infringement suit against Japanese tech conglomerate Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE) involving video game controller patents which ended up netting $150 million for Immersion in March 2007."

These are patent bullies and trolls. We mentioned TiVo and Immersion Corporation many times before (always in a negative context). This, to us, means that Iancu (if appointed, not just nominated) would be friendly towards parasites. Whose idea was it to nominate him? Who told Trump to do this? He apparently applied for this position, so Mr. Ross (Commerce Secretary) is to blame. ⬆