3 ms·

> I think eInk is a great example of how the patent system discourages useful innovation. Could you explain this? Because which patent is discouraging useful

> I think eInk is a great example of how the patent system discourages useful innovation. Could you explain this? Because which patent is discouraging useful innovation? I'm actively working in the display industry and have no idea what you are referring to. I've asked this question before and I only get conspiracy theory answers like "secret consortium", or lazy answers like patent thicket. If you aren't actually working in the display industry, then how exactly do you know what is blocking useful innovation? Because if you were to ask me what's blocking useful innovation, it is the fact that investors are much more willing to put billions into AI/ML or an internet service startup than they are into scaling up a niche display technology or improving yields so that the price can come down.

amluto 6y ago
I do not work in the display industry, but I can point at the 3D printing industry as an example. Several years ago, some critical patents expired, resulting in a burst of innovation. Or take 2D printers, where parties to giant cross licensing agreements can make printers and it’s very hard for anyone else to sell into the US market. And yes, if I were an investor in display technology, I would be quite hesitant to touch electronic ink style displays due to patents. Here’s a fascinating paper on the usefulness of patents: https://s3.amazonaws.com/real.stlouisfed.org/wp/2012/2012-035.pdf https://s3.amazonaws.com/real.stlouisfed.org/wp/2012/2012-03...
- robinsoh 6y ago
  > I can point at the 3D printing industry as an example. Several years ago, some critical patents expired, resulting in a burst of innovation Yes, I've read that as well from magazines but I must admit I've never checked the journalist claims or seen what critical patent expired that made the 3d printing industry flourish. Because it could just have well been access to open source designs that only flourished in the 2000s but I know nothing about 3d printing so I'm just speculating and making it clear that I'm doing that. So when it comes to posts here about my own industry which I feel I know pretty well, I see claims that seem farcical to me so I've been asking, which critical patent does EInk have? So far, I've not had any answer. > And yes, if I were an investor in display technology, I would be quite hesitant to touch electronic ink style displays due to patents. If I was your boss, I'd again ask a simple question. Which patent? If you can't identify it, then do you think it is possible it is an incorrect belief based on perhaps a lack of understanding of the display industry?

amluto 6y ago

I do not work in the display industry, but I can point at the 3D printing industry as an example. Several years ago, some critical patents expired, resulting in a burst of innovation. Or take 2D printers, where parties to giant cross licensing agreements can make printers and it’s very hard for anyone else to sell into the US market. And yes, if I were an investor in display technology, I would be quite hesitant to touch electronic ink style displays due to patents. Here’s a fascinating paper on the usefulness of patents: https://s3.amazonaws.com/real.stlouisfed.org/wp/2012/2012-035.pdf https://s3.amazonaws.com/real.stlouisfed.org/wp/2012/2012-03...

robinsoh 6y ago
> I can point at the 3D printing industry as an example. Several years ago, some critical patents expired, resulting in a burst of innovation Yes, I've read that as well from magazines but I must admit I've never checked the journalist claims or seen what critical patent expired that made the 3d printing industry flourish. Because it could just have well been access to open source designs that only flourished in the 2000s but I know nothing about 3d printing so I'm just speculating and making it clear that I'm doing that. So when it comes to posts here about my own industry which I feel I know pretty well, I see claims that seem farcical to me so I've been asking, which critical patent does EInk have? So far, I've not had any answer. > And yes, if I were an investor in display technology, I would be quite hesitant to touch electronic ink style displays due to patents. If I was your boss, I'd again ask a simple question. Which patent? If you can't identify it, then do you think it is possible it is an incorrect belief based on perhaps a lack of understanding of the display industry?