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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
by mjevans 10y 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 10y agoTrademarks protect buyers and ought to remain indefinite. Spot on otherwise though.
- Ensorceled 10y agoPatents 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 10y ago[deleted]
- jacquesm 10y agoDyson vs Hoover. But that's in 'the real world' and not software, which is an even more ridiculous situation.