Author: Sheldon Hearn Date: To: Wakko Warner CC: exim-users Subject: Re: [Exim] Is exim in trouble?
On (2003/08/29 08:34), Wakko Warner wrote:
> I am also against the patenting of ideas and such. Actually, i'm against
> patents in general. To me it seems that "I make product and patent it so
> you can't make it" causes a monopoly on that one product (microsoft
> anyone?). I'm not up on history so I don't know what went on before
> publication.
I used to feel the same way. My view has mellowed.
Given the greedy nature of people, patents can actually stimulate
innovation.
The problem with patents is that the legislation surrounding them hasn't
kept up with the pace of innovation.
Specifically, I think the enforcable period for patents should be
reduced in many areas of innovation.
At a thumb-suck, I'd say you should get 5 years to milk your brilliant
new information technology idea. After that, it's open season.
That said, a great many patents don't cover brilliant new ideas so much
as a bag on the side of brilliant old ideas. This is an area where
patent awards could do with a little tightening up, I think.
