Microsoft on patent laws

John Boudreau interviewed Brad Smith, General Counsel for Microsoft about settlements and patent laws:

I think the law has tilted too heavily in favor of those who hold patents. They're able to sue for treble damages by proving what's called willfulness, which is applied as too low a standard today, in our view.

Q
So what are you proposing?

A
Improve the quality of patents in this country. That can be done by ensuring that the Patent and Trademark Office -- PTO, as it's called -- has the resources necessary to really scrutinize patent applications.

Read the interview here.