4 ms·

"software patents have largely been unenforced." I don't think that's the case. However, it doesn't often come to ugly lawsuits because most of those software

"software patents have largely been unenforced." I don't think that's the case. However, it doesn't often come to ugly lawsuits because most of those software patents can be licensed. For instance, Apple licensed Amazon's 1-Click Purchasing patent. If it hadn't, Amazon would've likely sued over it. [1] This method is working out great for Microsoft, which makes more money off Android than on its own mobile endeavors. The big problem Android makers encounter with Apple is that it has no interest in licensing its software patents to them. Apple simply does not want them using any of its ideas. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-Click

nextparadigms 15y ago
"This method is working out great for Microsoft, which makes more money off Android than on its own mobile endeavors." You're making it sound as if it's a good thing Microsoft makes money on stop they didn't actually build themselves.
- JoshTriplett 15y ago
  A quote I've heard a few times, but which I can't seem to find the origin of: "Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration. Patents are a tool for doing the 1 percent, waiting for someone else to do the 99 percent, and then suing them."
- Samuel_Michon 15y ago
  "You're making it sound as if it's a good thing Microsoft makes money on stop they didn't actually build themselves." It was an observation, it shouldn't be interpreted as approval. Just as I'm not so sure whether Apple, Google, and the Android device makers are handling this mess the right way.
- brudgers 15y ago
  Stockholders of Google, Apple, Microsoft, etc. etc. can make money from things they did not build themseleves (including individuals such as Brin, Cook, Balmer etc. etc.). While one might argue, "yes but those stockholders invested capital in those companies," one might reasonably counter that Google, Apple, Microsoft, etc. etc. invested capital in the research to discover those patentable ideas. Don't misunderstand me, I see some ethical merits in a Marxist economic approach. However, "Now we see the violence inherent in the system," is hardly a convincing argument.

nextparadigms 15y ago

"This method is working out great for Microsoft, which makes more money off Android than on its own mobile endeavors." You're making it sound as if it's a good thing Microsoft makes money on stop they didn't actually build themselves.

JoshTriplett 15y ago
A quote I've heard a few times, but which I can't seem to find the origin of: "Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration. Patents are a tool for doing the 1 percent, waiting for someone else to do the 99 percent, and then suing them."
Samuel_Michon 15y ago
"You're making it sound as if it's a good thing Microsoft makes money on stop they didn't actually build themselves." It was an observation, it shouldn't be interpreted as approval. Just as I'm not so sure whether Apple, Google, and the Android device makers are handling this mess the right way.
brudgers 15y ago
Stockholders of Google, Apple, Microsoft, etc. etc. can make money from things they did not build themseleves (including individuals such as Brin, Cook, Balmer etc. etc.). While one might argue, "yes but those stockholders invested capital in those companies," one might reasonably counter that Google, Apple, Microsoft, etc. etc. invested capital in the research to discover those patentable ideas. Don't misunderstand me, I see some ethical merits in a Marxist economic approach. However, "Now we see the violence inherent in the system," is hardly a convincing argument.