Intellectual-property lawsuits: Patents into ploughshares | The Economist

A hopeful -- but controversial -- leading indicator

"IN TIMES of war it is a bold strategy. But agreeing to stand down unilaterally, while retaining a defensive capability, is precisely what Twitter seems to have done in the theatre of intellectual-property (IP) conflict. According to a new agreement, which replaces old contracts with its employees and other inventors, the microblogging giant forswears firing the opening salvo in patent lawsuits. If adopted by other firms, the approach could usher in a non-aggression pact of sorts. Today's hot wars, costing belligerents billions of dollars in suits and countersuits, with uncertain outcomes, would turn into a colder one, consuming fewer resources."

Intellectual-property lawsuits: Patents into ploughshares | The Economist