Interesting, brief article in the NY Times (h/t BoingBoing) suggests a major shakeup in patent law could occur because a law passed in 1999 was unconstitutional.

The law "changed the way administrative patent judges are appointed, substituting the director of the Patent and Trademark Office for the secretary of commerce."

The law is important because the constitution ensures that elected officials, not appointed ones, have the power to appoint others. That keeps the bureaucracy accountable.

The bottom line is that patent law is out of control and needs significant revision.

Update: Today's patent news: VeriSign owns site redirection.