Protecting the High-Tech Frontier: The Need for Stronger Process Patent Laws

But difficulties exist in transforming technological possibilities into realities. Aside from scientific and engineering problems, legal obstacles stand in the way of technological development. One major legal impediment is the lack of protection afforded by U.S. process patent laws. All too often, foreign companies infringe on process patents obtained by American companies.

For example, Sohio developed a process to manufacture ceramic heat seals for turbine engines and obtained a patent on it, but Japanese competitor Kyocera soon entered the market with a similar process." Other major companies which claim their process patents have been violated include Allied-Signal, Corning Glass Works, Schering-Plough, Merck, and DuPont. To deter foreign companies from infringing on U.S. process patents in the future, it is clear that action must be taken to strengthen process patent protection.