Patent Abuse

Patent abuse refers to the misuse of the patent system to stifle competition, hinder innovation, or exploit others unfairly. This can happen when companies aggressively enforce their patents against smaller competitors, often in ways that are not justified by the originality or value of their inventions. It includes practices like filing excessive or frivolous lawsuits, engaging in "patent trolling" (buying patents solely to sue others), or using patents to block new ideas rather than promoting genuine innovation. Ultimately, patent abuse can harm the economy and limit consumer choices by creating unnecessary barriers in the market.