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> Why is it OK for huge companies like apple, IBM, Google... to use the patent system to keep out any competitors or newcomers [citation needed] Specifically,

by cletus 6y ago

> Why is it OK for huge companies like apple, IBM, Google... to use the patent system to keep out any competitors or newcomers [citation needed] Specifically, Oracle notwithstanding, big tech companies have used patent portfolios defensively. Take Google as one example. When has Google filed a patent infringement lawsuit against any company (other than as a countersuit after getting sued eg Sonos)?

joemullin 6y ago
Many internet companies, including Google, have used patents only defensively (so far). However, there are plenty of tech companies that do assert patents offensively, including Apple, IBM, Qualcomm (famously), Oracle, and lots of others.
- cletus 6y ago
  Qualcomm and Oracle are clearly bad actors. IBM? Probably. But I have no idea honestly. But Apple? The only patent suit I'm aware of that they initiated was against Samsung and this is a little more complicated. First, it was primarily a design patent suit. I'm a little more sympathetic to design patents than software patents (which I'm 100% against). And, let's face it, Samsung did pretty much just rip off the iPhone. There were some non-design patents thrown in there too, that's true. But the commenter I replied to suggested these tech companies were using patents to squash smaller competitors. And for most companies that isn't true. Even if you choose to include Apple in a list of companies that use patents offensively rather than defensively, Samsung isn't really a small competitor, so the point stands.
  - fomine3 6y ago
    Apple sued Samsung with scroll bounce back effect. Yes Samsung is a big player, but the lawsuit means other developers also avoid to implement same thing. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/04/appeals-court-revives-apples-patented-rubber-banding-tech-because-of-one-small-tweak/ https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/04/appeals-court-re...

by cletus 6y ago

joemullin 6y ago

Many internet companies, including Google, have used patents only defensively (so far). However, there are plenty of tech companies that do assert patents offensively, including Apple, IBM, Qualcomm (famously), Oracle, and lots of others.

cletus 6y ago
Qualcomm and Oracle are clearly bad actors. IBM? Probably. But I have no idea honestly. But Apple? The only patent suit I'm aware of that they initiated was against Samsung and this is a little more complicated. First, it was primarily a design patent suit. I'm a little more sympathetic to design patents than software patents (which I'm 100% against). And, let's face it, Samsung did pretty much just rip off the iPhone. There were some non-design patents thrown in there too, that's true. But the commenter I replied to suggested these tech companies were using patents to squash smaller competitors. And for most companies that isn't true. Even if you choose to include Apple in a list of companies that use patents offensively rather than defensively, Samsung isn't really a small competitor, so the point stands.
- fomine3 6y ago
  Apple sued Samsung with scroll bounce back effect. Yes Samsung is a big player, but the lawsuit means other developers also avoid to implement same thing. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/04/appeals-court-revives-apples-patented-rubber-banding-tech-because-of-one-small-tweak/ https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/04/appeals-court-re...