This is a great post about the problems in the US Patent and Trademark Office, and the idea of changing the rules of patent procedure (HT: IP Watchdog). It really does sum up the frustration patent applicants and patent attorneys have with the PTO. Changing the rules in the middle of the process is unlikely to help the situation. Patent protection is still the best protection available for those inventors trying to protect their intellectual property rights, but it would be nice if that protection could be obtained, or denied, in a timely, effective manner.