[stonesam92]

If that were the case and USPTO were in on the trick, why the need to drop HTTPS?

They'd have that data already, so could just share it directly.

[mcbits]

This will allow ISPs to track who is viewing particular patents and when. That would be very lucrative data to sell in some circumstances. I doubt the USPTO would distribute a list of IP addresses that accessed a patent without some kind of due process.

[sgt101]

I think this might be gutted out already though as big companies use proprietary databases which have enhanced data on the patents. Also google patents...

[dom0]

Didn't your country just drop the privacy protection rules that hindered ISPs from selling any American's browser history?

[ErikBjare]

If they shared the data, they could get caught doing so. By simply removing HTTPS someone could intercept the requests on their own without any wrongdoing on the part of USPTO (aside from dropping HTTPS).

[bcook]

Plausible deniability? Shifting blame?

I'm just playing Devil's advocate here.