4 ms·
One doesn't lose a patent for non-enforcement (though it's possible equitable doctrines like laches could complicate future suits after a period of non-enforcem
by _delirium 12y ago
One doesn't lose a patent for non-enforcement (though it's possible equitable doctrines like laches could complicate future suits after a period of non-enforcement). However patents do require frequent explicit renewal, like copyright used to: maintenance fees have to be paid at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years after the patent is granted, or it expires early.
- Fuxy 12y agoThis is just a though but how cool would it be if after 20 years of copyright you would be required to pay a small fee that would grow exponentially and is required to be payed every 5 years. If a corporation values its copyright that much their going to pay if it's not that valuable they won't bother to keep it. That would certainly eliminate useless renewal.
- zokier 12y agoThat would be even worse than the current system. At least now the system is equal to everyone, from starving artists and foss hackers to billion dollar corporations like Disney and MS.