Patents

[Maven]

Is it just me or is it impossible to write anything without violating some kind of patent(s). I mean people have patented the building blocks of programming, how is the software industry going to advance itself or at least here in the USA? I mean you can make 1 program and run into problems with 20 different patents all of which the holders want 5%.

Its just gay!

[Cander]

That is right. Thanks to a patent system horribly out of control, developers can easily get bent over once the patent holder needs some quick cash.



I knew patents were f****d when someone patented a method of pushing someone on a swing.

It always gets me when someone tries to impress you with the fact that they hold x number of patents which are likely useless junk.

[Maven]

I just dont see how development is going to continue to advance if this trend continues. How are you going to be able to create a program when so many fundemental algorithms have been patented?

Even the usually junk can be very dangrous as it cost millions to win patent cases.

[Cander]

20$ says someone has a patent on Bubble sorting, so dont ever have the need to sort a simple array or your fudged!

[Memnoch1207]

Bill Gates just got issued a patent on his virtual artwork...thingy...dealy....thing...that he didn't even create.

[Cander]

Most patent holders didnt create jack. They just had the insight to patent it before anyone else did.

Look at how MS is getting sued left and right by patent holders. MS didnt STEAL anything from them, its just the patents ar very wide ranged and vague and the patent holders are using it to get cash.

Enron for example. Sued MS and won, but have left the other web browser companies alone that are infringing the same patent because there is no money there.

MS is also getting sued because of the use of a whiteboard in the conferencing software despite lots of other apps doing the same thing.

[simonm]

There's a lot of bitching and whining about how unfair the patent system is...but nobody's suggested how the system can be improved. Afterall, surely noone here would be in favour of abolishing the whole system altogether, would they?

Without being able to patent a new idea or invention, everyone else may be able to easilly profit by using your idea without having had to incur the costs of it's inception and development.

[Memnoch1207]

I came up with an idea (invention) about a month or 2 ago. I checked the patent office (online) and there is nothing like it on there (yet it is so simple, that I think people just overlook it)...So once I create it and patent it...I will have my celebrity spokesperson pitching it to you guys on a 3am informercial!
While I sit back and collect the MILLIONS!...muhahahaha

[Cander]

Yes people have suggested a fix. Stop allowing the patenting of vague ideas that could cover numerous situations.

The other problem is that anyone can submit any number of patents so the patent office is overly swamped for years to come.

"Without being able to patent a new idea or invention,"

Invention would be a practical patent or an idea that comes with a practical scenario of its use and it ONLY covers that use.

The problem again is vagueness and obvious prior art.

The fixes are obvious.

[Kasracer]

I say we get rid of patents as well as CopyRights

(I thought the thread was a rant about parents)

[Maven]

Originally posted by simonm
There's a lot of bitching and whining about how unfair the patent system is...but nobody's suggested how the system can be improved. Afterall, surely noone here would be in favour of abolishing the whole system altogether, would they?

Without being able to patent a new idea or invention, everyone else may be able to easilly profit by using your idea without having had to incur the costs of it's inception and development.

The best way to improve the patent system for the software industry is to get completely rid of it! The patent system does not belong in the software industry. Just like it doesn't belong in other fields, like books.

Software is protected well enough with copyrights and trademarks.

[Cander]

Originally posted by kasracer
I say we get rid of patents as well as CopyRights

(I thought the thread was a rant about parents)

Uh noo. Your only reasoning is because you want everything for free. And Im not getting into that.

[Kasracer]

Originally posted by Cander
Uh noo. Your only reasoning is because you want everything for free. And Im not getting into that.

Getting rid of patents and copyright won't mean I am legally allowed to get Windows XP Free and VS.NET Free, ect....

[Cander]

Then why do you want to get rid of copyrights?

[Kasracer]

Originally posted by Cander
Then why do you want to get rid of copyrights?

Because we don't need them?

[Maven]

In fact just making the patent system cover entire programs would be a big improvement. Right now they cover algorithms and techniques!! Surely as a developer you understand why this sux?

Comon, the programs we make usually contain thousands of algorithms and right now each one is conisdered patent material.

You have to be about out of your mind, very rich, or have a huge collection of patents to cross licences wtih to attempt to create a large program now days. Chances are you'll be risking a law suit form numerous patent holders.

[Maven]

Originally posted by kasracer
Getting rid of patents and copyright won't mean I am legally allowed to get Windows XP Free and VS.NET Free, ect....

I have no idea why anyone would want to get rid of copyrights.......

[Kasracer]

Originally posted by Maven
I have no idea why anyone would want to get rid of copyrights.......

Genmay.com

If you can still find the thread, we had a REALLY REALLY HUGE (like 50 page) arguement and in the end, most agreed CopyRights are worthless. I don't feel like re-doing all of my replies there.

That and I wasn't being 100% serious anyway.

[Maven]

Originally posted by kasracer
Genmay.com

If you can still find the thread, we had a REALLY REALLY HUGE (like 50 page) arguement and in the end, most agreed CopyRights are worthless. I don't feel like re-doing all of my replies there.

That and I wasn't being 100% serious anyway.

worthless??!!

Copyrights are what protect your work from getting stolen by others.

[Kasracer]

Originally posted by Maven
worthless??!!

Copyrights are what protect your work from getting stolen by others.

Nope, find the thread and all will be answered (the search was probably pruned but the thread is still there)

[Maven]

Originally posted by kasracer
Nope, find the thread and all will be answered (the search was probably pruned but the thread is still there)

Thats quite arlight, I know the value of copyrights.

Take kazaa lite for example, it was shutdown by kazaa for copyright infrignments.

[Kasracer]

Originally posted by Maven
Thats quite arlight, I know the value of copyrights.

So then you know they suck!

My job here is done

[mendhak]

I have patented the copyright system.

[hellswraith]

I think in order to patent something, you must submit the idea, and what it will do (along with your personal information). You then get a hearing time. You MUST show up at regional patent office with you WORKING idea, the details, and a good reason it is patentable. Then, a team of well versed individuals, 15-20, get to decide if it is patentable. If not, you get the reason why it isn't. You can appeal this ONCE. When you appeal, you get sent to another regions patent office in front of new individuals. If you can't pursuade them, you are out of luck patenting that idea. Of course, all this will cost you money.

This will stop stupid little patents, because they must first SHOW a WORKING idea/item...etc. Then they must provide a good reason why it is patentable. The individuals jobs would be to vote yes/no on it. The majority win. So if it is an iffy idea, you probably won't get it patented.

That is my ideas on improving the process. It may cost more, because you have regional centers, but you can pass this cost on to the person trying to patent the idea. Business patents fees are also different than individual patent fees. If a business buys a patent from an individual, they must pay the business patent fees also.

I like it....my bright ideas....lol.

[Maven]

I just think it’s mad how far out of control the patent system has got in the software industry. Quite honestly I will no longer write code to be distributed over the internet in any shape form or fashion because of the threat of being sued. You would have to hire professionals to search out the patent database for every scrap of code or technique that your program uses. The cost of doing this is well beyond my means.

I think the USA will lose its “King of the Hill” role in computer technology due to the patent system. It’s only a matter of time till software development comes to a complete standstill due to the patent system.

Take voice over IP for example. So many patents are out there that cross into that area, that simply won’t be able to exist in any form for at least 15 or so years. I predict what will happen is the USA will lose its ability to be competitive in the world due to its extremely flawed patent system.

[Memnoch1207]

Thanks for the info Hellswraith...Now I KNOW my invention will get a patent...my brother and I are creating a working model of it right now.

[Kasracer]

Originally posted by Memnoch1207
Thanks for the info Hellswraith...Now I KNOW my invention will get a patent...my brother and I are creating a working model of it right now.

You do realize he was saying how he wanted the patent system to work right? What he said isn't how it works right now....

[Memnoch1207]

Yeah, but by the time I get done developing it...it probably will work that way!

[Kasracer]

Originally posted by Memnoch1207
Yeah, but by the time I get done developing it...it probably will work that way!

No it won't

[WorkHorse]

Of course Microsoft has already patented all code:

http://www.theonion.com/onion3311/microsoftpatents.html

He he. That's one of my all-time favorties.