I have a morbid fascination with these guys, so I checked out Mission Abstract Data's web site. It's the usual patent troll BS, but there's one thing that reall

I have a morbid fascination with these guys, so I checked out Mission Abstract Data's web site. It's the usual patent troll BS, but there's one thing that really stuck out to me on their blog: The radio stations we all enjoy today were built upon Thomas Jefferson’s belief that an invention, properly documented as unique and original, is private property. It reminded me of one of my favorite quotes of all time: If nature has made any one thing less susceptible than all others of exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called an idea, which an individual may exclusively possess as long as he keeps it to himself; but the moment it is divulged, it forces itself into the possession of every one, and the receiver cannot dispossess himself of it. Its peculiar character, too, is that no one possesses the less, because every other possesses the whole of it. He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. TLDR: Thomas Jefferson is a boss, patent trolls are sleazy. Edit: Actually, the other post[0] on the blog is great too. It's a defense of one of their patents— not really worth reading except the comments, which has several people who had personal experience with prior art years before the patent was issued. These guys are such clowns. [0] http://www.missionabstractdata.com/1/post/2011/03/mission-abstract-data-response-to-the-dave-scott-quotes-in-rbr.html#comments http://www.missionabstractdata.com/1/post/2011/03/mission-ab...