4 ms·
That may be a good thing, but open source doesn't mean non-patent infringing.
by hmahncke 13y ago
That may be a good thing, but open source doesn't mean non-patent infringing.
- muyuu 13y agoIt often does. When an OSS establishes a new system/standard, prior art invalidates any future patent on it.
- genwin 13y agoMost possible system/standards are already covered by multiple patents. "A system for electronic transfer of information", for example. I made that up, but there are many super broad patents like that.
- mpyne 13y agoIf one is careful you can even take steps to actively invalidate prior art. You don't need to just make a new standard either, we've already seen people get away with patently new ways to do the same old thing. Look up Open Invention Network when you get a chance. The idea is to simply publish the general techniques you use to solve a given problem in a fashion that's easy to search, as a defense against people later trying to patent the same idea.
- hmahncke 13y agoYes, for sure. However, it may infringe on existing patents, and it's often quite difficult to determine that in advance. But I agree, among OSS's many virtues are that it establishes what's known and prevents future patents on those techniques.