> Patents don't forbid research, only use. From what I have read patents disallow others from doing commercial research unless that research falls inside a nar

> Patents don't forbid research, only use. From what I have read patents disallow others from doing commercial research unless that research falls inside a narrow exception. The exception covers getting regulatory approval for a drug, or for "amusement", but not for other commercial purposes. The exception is specifically disallowed if the research can further the alleged infringer's legitimate business. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_exemption http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_exemption > This is different from copyright, where if I write the first Harry Potter story and you write a derivative Harry Potter story, I just own your story. I am almost certain this is not true: "Most countries' legal systems seek to protect both [original and derivative] works. They grant authors the right to impede or otherwise control their integrity and the author's commercial interests. Derivatives and their authors benefit in turn from the full protection of copyright without prejudicing the rights of the original work's author." -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative_work http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative_work