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comparison org/patents.org @ 28:123cc504e694

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dylan notes.
author Robert McIntyre <rlm@mit.edu>
date Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:43:48 +0000
parents 0a8b2984af7d
children fba00c98e629
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27:0a8b2984af7d 28:123cc504e694
75 GNU/Linux distributions don't come with an mp3 player. The mp3 75 GNU/Linux distributions don't come with an mp3 player. The mp3
76 algorithm is patented, and even if you write an open source mp3 76 algorithm is patented, and even if you write an open source mp3
77 player, you will have problems distributing that player because of 77 player, you will have problems distributing that player because of
78 the mp3 patents. 78 the mp3 patents.
79 79
80 ** Patents are treated as physical objects 80 ** Patents are treated as property
81 They can be sold, seized, etc. This is because the government wants 81 They can be sold, seized, etc. This is because the government wants
82 new inventions to actually be made available to the public. The idea 82 new inventions to actually be made available to the public. The idea
83 here is that if you are an inventor and you obtain a patent on a 83 here is that if you are an inventor and you obtain a patent on a
84 cool invention, but are unable/unwilling to develop an commercial 84 cool invention, but are unable/unwilling to develop an commercial
85 product, you can sell that patent to some company and give them the 85 product, you can sell that patent to some company and give them the
115 created "neutral" patents that allow open source software to 115 created "neutral" patents that allow open source software to
116 develop, but do not particularly encourage it to develop. They have 116 develop, but do not particularly encourage it to develop. They have
117 done this by attaching legally binding conditions on the enforcement 117 done this by attaching legally binding conditions on the enforcement
118 of their patents via a pledge. 118 of their patents via a pledge.
119 119
120 * Positive Patents 120 * COMMENT Positive Patents
121 We can create patents that actively encourage openness by emulating 121 We can create patents that actively encourage openness by emulating
122 the GPL. What it would take is a company that issues a more 122 the GPL. What it would take is a company that issues a more
123 aggressive pledge about its patents; Something along the lines of: 123 aggressive pledge about its patents; Something along the lines of:
124 124
125 #+begin_quote 125 #+begin_quote
173 instead of this pledge if they are a 'special exception'. 173 instead of this pledge if they are a 'special exception'.
174 #+end_quote 174 #+end_quote
175 175
176 The only way for a company to become a special exception would be 176 The only way for a company to become a special exception would be
177 for them to contribute monetarily to this hypothetical company. 177 for them to contribute monetarily to this hypothetical company.
178
179
180
181 * COMMENT
182 use proscriptive/freedom enabling/disabling?
183
184 explain a scenario of how this pledge would work.
185
186 Describe that this is to destroy the patent system
187
188 talk about selective enforcement-oppression
189
190 how do we get the "big guys"