"Patent Markings" Lawsuits Could Run Into the Trillions 193
bizwriter writes "The latest legal bugaboo facing manufacturers is the false patent marking suit. Using what has been until recently an obscure type of legal action, individuals and enterprising law firms have targeted large manufacturers with lawsuits that can easily run million of dollars — in a case involving a drink cup manufacturer, over $10 trillion — for incorrectly including patent numbers on products. Some companies named in such suits are 3M, Cisco, Pfizer, Monster Cable, and Merck. Even expired patent numbers can be actionable." Sounds like a perfect opportunity for some enlightened appeals court to inject some sense into the debate. What do you think the chances are? Note: if ever there were a page that cries out for the Readability bookmarklet, this is it.
See? The system works (Score:2, Funny)
I'm just wondering who patented this business method. Sheer brilliance, proving that American ingenuity still leads the world.
Oh, and you people who think a court is going to shoot this down? Only of the judges aren't lawyers.