On Sat, Mar 5, 2011 at 11:08 AM, phil swenson <[email protected]>wrote:
> I could argue against software patents, but this guy does it way better > than I ever could: http://www.feld.com/wp/category/patents Really? Just the same old arguments that the system is broken without showing that he's thought much about the consequences of a world without software patents, nor a lot of elaboration as to why they stifle innovation. I've seen much better articulated arguments, to be honest. Besides, the Paul Allen suit was thrown out, which seems to indicate that the system works as expected. I'm a reformist, not an abolitionist. I think software patents work and they enable innovation. I do think they should be revised, particularly on two specific points: - Shorter duration. It's fair for someone who comes up with a real innovation to enjoy a first mover advantage, but this duration should be adjusted to software scales. Maybe two years or something like that. - Troll patents should not be allowed to exist. Not quite sure what can be done there, maybe that patents cannot be transferred, or can only be enforced if the corporation suing can show that their business is based on the patent they are suing about. In other words, they have a product on the market place that is based on that patent. At least, I'm trying to offer concrete solutions that are based on compromises and on the observation of how the world works today, as opposed to most of the hand waving that I see pattern abolitionists do most of the time ("They kill innovation. Now upvote me"). -- Cédric -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Java Posse" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/javaposse?hl=en.
