On Friday, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform Chair Tom Davis (R-Virginia) wrote a top U.S. Patent & Trademark Office official with a plea to modernize the U.S. patent system.

"While litigation and settlement negotiations between (BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion and NTP) are central to the (patent infringement) controversy, " Rep.Davis wrote to USPTO Under Secretary for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas, "the patent-approval and reexamination process at the Patent and Trademark office have been significant factors in whether service continues uninterrupted to BlackBerry customers."

Rep. Davis closed his letter asking Dudas to forward him his assessment of the current state of patent examination and re-examination procedures, what negative impact any shortcomings have for technological innovation, as well as what forms might be needed.

It took a risk to their CrackBerries, but the right people are finally starting to ask the right questions about the Patent Office.