🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <66842@sgi.sgi.com>, karsh@trifolium.esd.sgi.com (Bruce Karsh) writes:
> Most recently, an inventor was awarded a several million dollar
> judgement against a large auto company (Chrysler, I think), because
> they infringed on a patent for using an electronic timer to control a
> windshield wiper.

I believe it was Ford and the suit took approximately 20 years.  As I
recall, Ford is still contesting the amount of the judgement.

> If you have a good patent and a big company infringes, attorneys will
> take the case on a contingency fee basis.  They especially like it when
> a very large company infringes because large companies have deep
> pockets.
 
> One inventor, armed with a good patent, can now take on a giant corporation.
> I think this is really very healthy.

It would be a lot healthier if the wheels of justice ground a little
faster.  As it is, the inventor is going to start getting money from
Ford in 1990 (at the earliest) for infringements that began in the
1960's (or maybe 1970's).  The analyses I heard on the subject (on
NPR) also guessed that Ford was likely to have to pay royalties
comparable to what they should have had to pay anyway without really
stiff punitive damages, so this suit does not seem likely to deter
future infringements in comparable situations.  The inventor that
takes on a giant corporation had better have pretty deep pockets and a
LOT of patience.  A startup company is dead in the water.

----
    Paul Neubauer    00prneubauer@bsu-ucs.uucp  or  00PRNEUBAUER@BSUVAX1.BITNET