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> Don't blame the patent system. While it is true that patent system should be reformed/eliminated ... But thats the point. You can blame the companies all you

> Don't blame the patent system. While it is true that patent system should be reformed/eliminated ... But thats the point. You can blame the companies all you want, another will always be there to step up and take advantage of it. I do blame the companies, but what does it matter? Are we likely going to see an Apple Boycott? I doubt it, and changing one companies business practices will have little impact on the industry as a whole. But the patent system - that's a single target we can all align against, whose elimination would solve these issues immediately.

yock 13y ago
Every system has its exploits, will you blame those systems for their failures? Individuals are always to blame because individuals are the actors in the broken system. The blame must always lie with those doing wrong, or else we're just absolving ourselves of the hurt we cause each other.
- justinsteele 13y ago
  It doesn't have to be one or the other, it can be both. A system that does it's best to prevent abuse, and individuals who do not seek out ways to abuse it, combined make a best case scenario.
- cloverich 13y ago
  I'm a pragmatist at heart is all. I look for the action that leads to the outcome I want, and I don't believe outcry against companies will ever have any impact on the patent system, outside of resultant legislative action. > Every system has its exploits, will you blame those systems for their failures? The system is responsible for maintaining the most beneficial incentives possible. In some cases, it is difficult or even impossible to remove those exploits, and in those cases I look to blame individuals to the maximum extent possible. But in this particular example, there is little to no apparent benefit to having (the current) patent system in place, and only perverse incentives. While it doesn't absolve the companies of their behavior, I don't see how it can be viewed as anything other than an inevitable outcome (given the system design). In that light, I may avoid Apple products for instance, but am generally uninterested in any complaint or action that isn't targeted at the root cause which for all intents and purposes can be fixed!
jaegerpicker 13y ago
Sure I'm completely on board to fix the patent system but it does not follow that I should continue to support a company that I believe behaves unethically. Apple boycott, yeah I doubt it will happen but that's not the point. It's about informing my personal choices and helping to speak out to inform others. Boycott's unlikely to change anything but real change tends to come from lots of people speaking out and informing lots of other people.

yock 13y ago

Every system has its exploits, will you blame those systems for their failures? Individuals are always to blame because individuals are the actors in the broken system. The blame must always lie with those doing wrong, or else we're just absolving ourselves of the hurt we cause each other.

justinsteele 13y ago
It doesn't have to be one or the other, it can be both. A system that does it's best to prevent abuse, and individuals who do not seek out ways to abuse it, combined make a best case scenario.
cloverich 13y ago
I'm a pragmatist at heart is all. I look for the action that leads to the outcome I want, and I don't believe outcry against companies will ever have any impact on the patent system, outside of resultant legislative action. > Every system has its exploits, will you blame those systems for their failures? The system is responsible for maintaining the most beneficial incentives possible. In some cases, it is difficult or even impossible to remove those exploits, and in those cases I look to blame individuals to the maximum extent possible. But in this particular example, there is little to no apparent benefit to having (the current) patent system in place, and only perverse incentives. While it doesn't absolve the companies of their behavior, I don't see how it can be viewed as anything other than an inevitable outcome (given the system design). In that light, I may avoid Apple products for instance, but am generally uninterested in any complaint or action that isn't targeted at the root cause which for all intents and purposes can be fixed!

jaegerpicker 13y ago

Sure I'm completely on board to fix the patent system but it does not follow that I should continue to support a company that I believe behaves unethically. Apple boycott, yeah I doubt it will happen but that's not the point. It's about informing my personal choices and helping to speak out to inform others. Boycott's unlikely to change anything but real change tends to come from lots of people speaking out and informing lots of other people.