Patents are a double-edged sword.
Ultimately it leads to a stronger patent system, which in turn contributes to a more robust economy that benefits both businesses and consumers. This demand is fueled by the meteoric rise of patent filings in recent years. In 1999, for example, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office received more than 270,000 applications and issued more than 150,000 patents. BountyQuest is launching with numerous customers who have posted more than 50 bounties related to patents in the biochemical, mechanical and computer arenas. I'm investing in BountyQuest because it's in everyone's interest to get all relevant prior art out into the open.