We all know that a patent is used to protect ideas from being used or sold by another without permission. However, there is also something called the patent trap. Often the world of patents is not protected as it should be. This is the patent trap. The patent trap is where the bureaucracy is mechanized by which corporations can sue each other regarding the rights of products. For example Smucker’s fell into the patent trap with the sealed, crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwich. British Telecom stated that they owned a patent for Internet hyperlinks, making it possible for visitors to pay royalties.
The patent trap can work for you or against you depending on where your company really stands regarding an idea. If you are the consumer you could be in the trap.