4 ms·

What would happen if I patented "left pad" in a bunch of languages?

• thayne 7y ago
  it would be an invalid patent (or at least should be), because 1. There is prior art 2. it is obvious to a domain expert But given the US patent office's track record, I wouldn't be too surprised if you were able to get a patent. Just don't expect it to hold up in court.
  • philpem 7y ago
    But then, if you're patent trolling - does it even need to hold up in court? IF cost_of_settlement < cost_of_court_action THEN pay_up(); /* ? */
    • thayne 7y ago
      Yep. Until you threaten someone willing to stand up to it, even if it is expensive.
• OOPMan 7y ago
  The patent would get thrown out on review
  • rurban 7y ago
    Not if you avoid the common names and invent a new name for it. Nowadays they are just doing some searches and patent granted.
• pnw_hazor 7y ago
  Behold the three pillars of IP protection. Copyright protects the What (tangible creative works, such as, printed publications, movies, sound recordings, source code, and so on) Trademark protects the Who (who made this service or product) Patent protects the How (how does this widget do what is does)
• matharmin 7y ago
  Code cannot be patented - copyright covers that. Patents on software are not that simple - it needs to describe an entire physical system that gives value to a user, not just an abstract function that does computation.
• CryptoBanker 7y ago
  Your patent would be rejected presumably