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". It's not uncommon for programmers to talk about patents they've been involved in getting and how they know how absurd they are. I know it's easy to get on a

". It's not uncommon for programmers to talk about patents they've been involved in getting and how they know how absurd they are. I know it's easy to get on a high horse here, but I do think that any programmer who cooperates in getting a baseless patent should be ashamed of themselves." Patents are a mark of prestige. Even if for something silly.

boucher 15y ago
I think the actual argument here is that most people would be fired if they refused to help their employer get a patent on something their employer wanted to patent.
- dredmorbius 15y ago
  Worse than that: possibly/probably sued. Most employment contracts require cooperation in legal matters. Truth though is that that cooperation's pretty limited. Patents are largely drafted by attorneys, which is among the reasons that they're so piss poor at their stated use: transmitting knowledge on how to create the invention.
ynniv 15y ago
I'm disappointed at the reception of this comment. I have never respected software patents, but I am not ashamed that my name is on one. There is prestige in knowing that you are capable of doing something notable, even if it doesn't deserve the protections that patents currently provide. I don't care to do it again, but neither do I fault those who have participated in creating these patents. If every respectable developer abstained from the patent system the problem would not go away, so let's not punish those who create but not benefit. The only end to this abusive situation is to remove the value of all patents on software.
- Joeri 15y ago
  Why is the patent a mark of notability of a developer's work? I hold respect for developers that share their knowledge in plain sight and plain language, not for developers that cooperate in creating some impossible-to-read legal document that I will never derive any useful knowledge from. Or put more succinctly: if you want my respect, don't patent your idea, blog your idea.
  - ynniv 15y ago
    I didn't say that I respected people with software patents, I said that I don't blame them.
kragen 15y ago
That's a fixable problem; all we have to do is ostracize and make fun of holders of software patents.

boucher 15y ago

I think the actual argument here is that most people would be fired if they refused to help their employer get a patent on something their employer wanted to patent.

dredmorbius 15y ago
Worse than that: possibly/probably sued. Most employment contracts require cooperation in legal matters. Truth though is that that cooperation's pretty limited. Patents are largely drafted by attorneys, which is among the reasons that they're so piss poor at their stated use: transmitting knowledge on how to create the invention.

ynniv 15y ago

I'm disappointed at the reception of this comment. I have never respected software patents, but I am not ashamed that my name is on one. There is prestige in knowing that you are capable of doing something notable, even if it doesn't deserve the protections that patents currently provide. I don't care to do it again, but neither do I fault those who have participated in creating these patents. If every respectable developer abstained from the patent system the problem would not go away, so let's not punish those who create but not benefit. The only end to this abusive situation is to remove the value of all patents on software.

Joeri 15y ago
Why is the patent a mark of notability of a developer's work? I hold respect for developers that share their knowledge in plain sight and plain language, not for developers that cooperate in creating some impossible-to-read legal document that I will never derive any useful knowledge from. Or put more succinctly: if you want my respect, don't patent your idea, blog your idea.
- ynniv 15y ago
  I didn't say that I respected people with software patents, I said that I don't blame them.

kragen 15y ago

That's a fixable problem; all we have to do is ostracize and make fun of holders of software patents.