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comparison org/patents.org @ 27:0a8b2984af7d

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minor change.
author Robert McIntyre <rlm@mit.edu>
date Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:40:12 +0000
parents 79b15c87901f
children 123cc504e694
comparison
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26:79b15c87901f 27:0a8b2984af7d
46 Patents, unlike copyright, are something you must request from the 46 Patents, unlike copyright, are something you must request from the
47 government. You are only supposed to be able to get a patent for a 47 government. You are only supposed to be able to get a patent for a
48 "novel" idea, which is an idea that wouldn't be obvious to someone 48 "novel" idea, which is an idea that wouldn't be obvious to someone
49 working in the relevant field. A patent can be for the plans to a 49 working in the relevant field. A patent can be for the plans to a
50 physical object ("regular" patent), an algorithm (software patent), 50 physical object ("regular" patent), an algorithm (software patent),
51 of a way of doing something (process patent). Once you have a 51 or a way of doing something (process patent). Once you have a
52 patent, it gives you the ability to stop anyone else from using your 52 patent, it gives you the ability to stop anyone else from using your
53 idea in any other invention. This is supposed to give you a 53 idea in any other invention. This is supposed to give you a
54 temporary monopoly to help you make money off your invention before 54 temporary monopoly to help you make money off your invention before
55 anyone else would be legally allowed to do so. In practice, many 55 anyone else would be legally allowed to do so. In practice, many
56 patents are given for ideas that are quite obvious to pretty much 56 patents are given for ideas that are quite obvious to pretty much