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It's not clear that the linked patent applies to the technique in the original post. https://www.google.com/patents/US7787664 https://www.google.com/patents/US7

It's not clear that the linked patent applies to the technique in the original post. https://www.google.com/patents/US7787664 https://www.google.com/patents/US7787664 and https://www.google.com/patents/US8712189 https://www.google.com/patents/US8712189 both seem more relevant. Just because something looks like it could be patent encumbered doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue it. Patents need to be fought over in court. It costs millions of dollars to bring a patent lawsuit. In the event that your little side project or startup becomes a target for a patent lawsuit, frivolous or otherwise, you've likely already won. Even with a semi-broken patent system, the world simply favors active, high-quality execution over passive "intellectual property" generation. Focus 364 days a year on a building a great product that people love and then spend a day to talk to your attorney about patents, IP, and how to protect the valuable company that you've built by focusing on your customers. Jeff Schox has a great talk on patents and startups that is very relevant to this discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyv75d4JG7c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyv75d4JG7c

bsenftner 11y ago
Be aware that a single technique can infringe on multiple patents, and a patent can extend other patent(s), triggering a situation where a single technique requirements licensing from multiple entities. It is exactly the issue of fighting patents costing millions of dollars that makes technology development financially risky. When accused of infringing, one has to respond, and that response costs both significant time and significant money. I agree a side project need not worry. A startup does. I also agree that the world favors active execution over passive intellectual property generation. Our world also forces the active executing organization to protect itself if they need any financing to realize their goals.

bsenftner 11y ago

Be aware that a single technique can infringe on multiple patents, and a patent can extend other patent(s), triggering a situation where a single technique requirements licensing from multiple entities. It is exactly the issue of fighting patents costing millions of dollars that makes technology development financially risky. When accused of infringing, one has to respond, and that response costs both significant time and significant money. I agree a side project need not worry. A startup does. I also agree that the world favors active execution over passive intellectual property generation. Our world also forces the active executing organization to protect itself if they need any financing to realize their goals.