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That's the entire f-ing point of patents. It's so they AREN'T kept as trade secrets. They are granted a monopoly in exchange for publication of it. It's the
by ismarc 14y ago
That's the entire f-ing point of patents. It's so they AREN'T kept as trade secrets. They are granted a monopoly in exchange for publication of it. It's the same reason the only prior art is something published, not a trade secret no one outside the company could have known about.
- victorlegros 14y agoTo carry on ismarc's thought, patents were only ever meant as a time-limited monopoly, to encourage and reward innovation. Patents and copyright have grown to become much more defense structures and "keep out" signs, which I think unfortunate, but the basic premise is sound.