A second, broader patent covers a way to link a large number of different fiber-optic sensors into a network that can monitor many conditions simultaneously.

But excessive or overly broad patents can slow business activity to the pace of cold molasses.

"If you've got a broad patent and it's valid, that's a very strong patent."

As if we didn't have enough problems with overly broad and non-inventive patents already?

"It is the first time such a broad patent has been allowed."

Have some extremly broad patent that covers this and shut it down.

Maybe this will be the straw to break the back of overly broad patents.

"It's a very broad patent," he explained for perhaps the 10th time that day.

But he and other experts said the dissent would encourage more challenges of broad patents.

The founding members contributed a collection of extremely broad patents that cover a wide range of technologies.