GPC's Chairman and CEO Alexander Poltorak was quoted in an article about patent lawsuit between Canadian company i4i and Microsoft Corp. as it reaches the U.S. Supreme Court this year ("Microsoft vs. i4i case at U.S. Supreme Court has big implications for patent law", The Canadian Press, April 17, 2011). Dr. Poltorak discussed the possible outcome of the case - and the possibility of it setting new precedents in U.S. patent law.
Article excerpt:
Patent expert Alexander Poltorak said the case is a potential threat to long-established patent law in the United States.
"Their fight is somewhat of an epic for the future of U.S. patent law," said Poltorak, chairman and CEO of U.S.-based General Patent Corp. in New York.
He noted that about half of all patents issued in the United States go to non-U.S. residents.
"So it's an issue of global proportions," he said, adding that if i4i loses it would be "devastating for the entire intellectual property business in the United States."
Poltorak said it's not unusual that Microsoft has taken the case all the way to the Supreme Court.
"They do not want to appear weak. Even if you win, it will be extremely expensive and it will take a long time before you even see a dime from them."