The movie The Patent Scam, released in 2017, is a documentary that explores the broken patent system in the United States. The film is directed by Jon F. Merz and stars Austin Meyer, Phil Adams, and Peter Braxton. The movie starts with a quick history of the US patent system, how it was created to encourage innovation, and how it has deviated from its original purpose. The film delves into the story of Austin Meyer, developer of the popular flight simulation software X-Plane. Meyer is an advocate for patent reform as he has been sued several times by patent trolls, companies that acquire patents only to profit from lawsuits rather than creating products or services. Meyer, along with others who have dealt with patent trolls, shares their experiences with the viewers.
The documentary highlights how companies are using the patent system to engage in what is known as patent trolling. Patent trolls are companies that buy patents for the sole purpose of suing other companies for the supposed infringement of their intellectual property. These companies do not produce any products or services, nor do they have any intent to, but use the threat of costly lawsuits to pressure companies into settling. The film shows how patent trolls target small and medium-sized businesses, and those that cannot afford to fight back, and how it is costing American businesses millions of dollars every year.
The film also shows different perspectives on the issue by including interviews with patent lawyers and the co-founder of a company that became a patent troll. One of the lawyers, for example, argues that the current system incentivizes innovators to patent as many ideas as possible, even if they never plan to use them. The co-founder of a patent-troll-turned-patent-reformer talks about how he realized his previous actions were wrong and advocates for a change in the legal system.
The documentary showcases various examples of patent trolling, including the story of Innovatio IP Ventures, a shell company that sued coffee shops and cafes for using Wi-Fi, which violated Innovatio's patents. The film also shows how patent trolls take advantage of the complicated and expensive legal system, where cases can take years to resolve and can cost millions of dollars in legal fees.
The Patent Scam does not just spotlight the negative aspects of the patent system but also touches on possible solutions. One solution presented is the creation of a patent-reform bill that would make it harder for patent trolls to file frivolous lawsuits. The film also proposes creating a centralized database of patents, making the patent examination process more rigorous, and giving more power to the US Patent and Trademark Office to penalize patent trolls.
Overall, The Patent Scam is a thought-provoking and informative documentary that provides insight into the flawed US patent system. The film shows how patent trolling has become a significant threat to innovation and entrepreneurship and highlights the need for reform. Through interviews with experts, lawyers, and individuals who have been affected by patent trolls, the documentary creates a comprehensive picture of how the system works and what can be done to fix it. The movie is a must-watch for anyone interested in technology and innovation and the impact of patents on the economy.
The Patent Scam is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.
