3 ms·
Even for a $1 billion pharmaceutical drug, 20 years is quite a long time to recover your investment. For something that costs a small fraction of that to develo
by TillE 14y ago
Even for a $1 billion pharmaceutical drug, 20 years is quite a long time to recover your investment. For something that costs a small fraction of that to develop, it's an eternity.
For a patent covering a trivial software idea, it's ludicrous.
I'd be happy with a system that gives five years by default, using the current process. Twenty years only if you can easily prove non-obviousness and significant research investment.
- Vivtek 14y agoTo be honest, a software patent should be required to include working code. The entire point of the system is not to provide money for trolls and lawyers, but ensure that technical knowledge is disclosed to the public while ensuring the inventors of that knowledge are compensated. That is currently not happening.