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It was discovered that light has some weak magnetic properties, then an actual experiment was done that discovered these magnetic properties were strong enough
by Detrus 16y ago
It was discovered that light has some weak magnetic properties, then an actual experiment was done that discovered these magnetic properties were strong enough to generate useful amounts of electricity. Patents were issued.
This is just semantic wordplay. I bet the legal literature is the same way. Even if we somehow fit these clunky classifications to reality, we would be no closer to designing a sensible patent system.
- fryguy 16y agoWere the patents issued for using that form of electricity, or rather for the contraption built to harness that electricity?
- Detrus 16y agoDon't know. They haven't built a practical contraption yet, hopefully it's some piece of their experimental setup, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's math. After all, they do issue patents for what some describe as "8th grade algebra" in software. Don't worry, I understand the semantic distinction when the case is clear cut. Lead is a discovery, lead pipes are an invention. Addition is a discovery, arabic numerals are an invention. (by today's standards)