Patent case appealed to Supreme Court

As expected, Festo, which makes robotics and automation systems, asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court ruling that critics say could throw the patent system into disarray. The company is appealing a ruling that would allow companies to more easily make copycat products, arguing that the ruling threatens research and development. However, several hi-tech companies have lined up in favor of the ruling, including IBM and Hewlett-Packard, saying it closes confusing loopholes in patent law.