Ron,

These points which were listed in a letter written by a guy at HP, posted yesterday by Wolf, don't seem to favor the little guy.  Big business who can advantage smaller companies by "stealing" technology are the ones that want limitations put in place.

PRA=Patent Reform Act

The PRA would strengthen and clarify patent guidelines so overall patent quality is improved. It also would allow appropriate damage awards in the event that actual infringement occurred. Just as important, it clearly delineates between willful infringement and cases where infringement was not deliberate, and prescribes appropriate action for each case.

The PRA would also address the need for effective and timely methods for patent review that will weed out bad patents in the system and cut down on need for immediate litigation. The PRA would create new processes within the United States Patent and Trademark Office to improve patent quality by providing a fair and timely method for reviewing patents after they have been issued by the PTO. The system would allow such a review either immediately after the patent is granted, or in circumstances where a party can establish significant economic harm resulting from assertion of the patent.

By enacting the Patent Reform Act, Congress can boost our nation's competitiveness, spur economic growth, and foster greater investment, job creation and innovation in Texas and across the country.

My bold added for emphasis. Who are they wanting to protect?