Costs of the patent system to governments

From en.swpat.org

The massive cost of the patent system to governments is only a side issue. Whether the system is expensive or cheap doesn't change the harm it does.

But, for whom it would be of interest, here's where we'll gather info about the massive cost of the patent system. This can help back up the argument that the patent system should only be applied where governments are absolutely sure it's a positive thing. For software, it's surely not.

[edit] External links

[edit] USA

• US patent backlog, employee attrition grow at alarming rates
• The USA Federal government's budget for 2011 - not sure where to look there, but if some has time, that's one starting point. This was also discussed on Patently-o:
  • USPTO Budget Shortfall Causes: Maintenance Fees, February 2010
  • Obama FY2011 Proposed Budget for the USPTO (Including at Least a 15% Increase in Fees), February 2010
  • USPTO FY2011 Budget: Part II, February 2010