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Patent law needs reform. If you analyze the life of important inventors and innovators of the 20th century, there has always been some patent pain involved tha

Patent law needs reform. If you analyze the life of important inventors and innovators of the 20th century, there has always been some patent pain involved that is not in the interest of the "greater good". The reason America didn't have a significant air force for WW1 compared to other powers was in part due to the legal battles between Wright and Curtiss. The government intervened in the patent driven battle so planes could mass produced and used in the war effort. Then, the inventor of the TV (Farnsworth) got sued by radio manufacturers and could never actually profit from his creation. Then, many patents get extended for excessive periods of time to prevent things becoming public domain (e.g: Disney).

mjevans 9y ago
I can't even recall a single time when patents have helped 'the little guy'. The only case that I can think of offhand involve manufacturers holding out until the patent expires, even if it is a decrease in public safety. I think the most simple, and best, reform for /patents/ is elimination. While I'm on the subject, returning to the 15 year copyright and 15 more IF you pay a lot to renew sounds like a good starting point for that discussion. Trademarks should have something similar (a slowly rising fee over time) but be allowed to exist as long as that fee is paid; that's a consumer protection mechanism.
- michaelmrose 9y ago
  Trademarks protect buyers and ought to remain indefinite. Spot on otherwise though.
- Ensorceled 9y ago
  Patents are still important to protect and reward research costs, elimination would destroy the pharma industry overnight for instance. I have no idea why you have a problem with trademarks. Why should a small family business be paying increasing fees to continue to operate as "Sanford and Son"? Or do you think I should be able to call my product "Heinz Ketchup" because they have had the name long enough?
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- jacquesm 9y ago
  Dyson vs Hoover. But that's in 'the real world' and not software, which is an even more ridiculous situation.

mjevans 9y ago

I can't even recall a single time when patents have helped 'the little guy'. The only case that I can think of offhand involve manufacturers holding out until the patent expires, even if it is a decrease in public safety. I think the most simple, and best, reform for /patents/ is elimination. While I'm on the subject, returning to the 15 year copyright and 15 more IF you pay a lot to renew sounds like a good starting point for that discussion. Trademarks should have something similar (a slowly rising fee over time) but be allowed to exist as long as that fee is paid; that's a consumer protection mechanism.

michaelmrose 9y ago
Trademarks protect buyers and ought to remain indefinite. Spot on otherwise though.
Ensorceled 9y ago
Patents are still important to protect and reward research costs, elimination would destroy the pharma industry overnight for instance. I have no idea why you have a problem with trademarks. Why should a small family business be paying increasing fees to continue to operate as "Sanford and Son"? Or do you think I should be able to call my product "Heinz Ketchup" because they have had the name long enough?
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
jacquesm 9y ago
Dyson vs Hoover. But that's in 'the real world' and not software, which is an even more ridiculous situation.