Google’s monopoly ruling reveals a deeper threat to innovation

A recent federal court ruling found that Google violated antitrust laws to maintain an illegal search engine monopoly . While a landmark decision, it is just the tip of the iceberg, exposing a deeper, underlying issue plaguing America’s innovation ecosystem.

At the core lies a tactic known as “efficient infringement,” which is advocate-speak for intentional, premeditated infringement.

This occurs when large companies deliberately use patented technologies without permission, having determined that the potential profits outweigh the risk of being sued. It is a cold, economic calculation: if the cost of a potential lawsuit is less than the licensing fees or the competitive advantage gained, then infringing becomes the rational business choice. Large companies effectively sideline star