The Patent System Is Often Considered to Be Unfairly Stacked

question 68

Multiple Choice

The patent system is often considered to be unfairly stacked against start-ups because:

• A) bigger multinational firms enjoy patent protection in all countries as opposed to start-ups, which are domestic firms that do not get such protection for the most part.
• B) the intellectual property laws are not adequate to protect the interests of smaller firms from infringements.
• C) the patent system grants patents for innovations on a differential basis, with bigger firms getting precedence over start-ups.
• D) high litigation costs coupled with a few months of litigation can sink an early stage firm.
• E) patents are granted by the patent system on an ad hoc basis wherein firms that have been in business longer get patent protection for longer periods of time.

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Definitions:

Serial Bonds

Bonds that mature at different dates, allowing the issuer to spread out the repayment over time.