In 45 years, George Margolin has patented 26 inventions, including a front-screen projection system (1964) that Hollywood used for special effects in 2001: A Space Odyssey, the James Bond films and Superman. He patented the folding computer keyboard in 1973, and a new type of anti-stick medical syringe in 1993. Three years ago, with a co-inventor, he patented a new method to keep computer chips from overheating.
At 77, he continues to run Margolin Development, which makes its money from licensing patents and consulting to companies such as such as AT&T Labs, Estee Lauder, MGM Studios and Safeguard Business Systems. FSB correspondent Ann Therese Palmer caught up with Margolin to find out why he so strongly opposes the proposed patent-reform bill, which includes a change that would favor inventors who were the “first to file” for patent protection above those who came up with ideas first.
Margolin: Big tech is trying to refashion our working patent system into the failed global patent systems modeled after the 19th-century German military-industrial economy dominated by cartels. The sponsors of this bill are attempting to bring our patent system from a world leader to the lowest levels of the Lowest Common Denominator, following the least inventive, least creative countries.
FSB: Which proposed changes are most troubling?
Margolin: Let’s take first-to-file rule. This creates nothing more than a race to the patent office. That’s what the Europeans and Japanese do because their patent systems were specifically designed to maintain the status quo. Now the supporters of this bill wish to cripple the kinds of upstarts that they once were.
FSB: What’s specifically wrong with first-to-file?
Margolin: An invention requires more than just that initial epiphany. We have the opportunity, in this country, under our current patent system, to perfect our invention before we file our patent. Europeans and Japanese object to this. They want to file fast. Incomplete patents will muck up the water for better, thought-out patents. If that concept is introduced here, it will increase the patent pendency rate. The Patent Office says it takes approximately 36 months on average to get a patent, but my experience is that it can take as long as five years.
For more of the George Margolin interview. go here.
Photo by Margolin Development.
Michael R. Thomas on August 15th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
The patent reform act does nothing to put patents into the correct name . Until we begin rewarding the correct inventor for his creative work high quality inventions that have stopped in the last few years will cease to be produced, some times with catistrofic consequences. Our patent system is corruption at its worst. The best solution is in my reformation of the patent reform act of 2007 now in consideration by all involved legislators and the patent office. with the adoption of these changes americ will stay in the world leadership for decades to come.