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comparison org/patents.org @ 20:6e9f3c10cebd

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minor change.
author Robert McIntyre <rlm@mit.edu>
date Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:13:35 +0000
parents fcb569c767b6
children 8df13ee40f30
comparison
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19:fcb569c767b6 20:6e9f3c10cebd
44 44
45 Patents, unlike copyright, are something you must request from the 45 Patents, unlike copyright, are something you must request from the
46 government. You are only supposed to be able to get a patent for a 46 government. You are only supposed to be able to get a patent for a
47 "novel" idea, which is an idea that wouldn't be obvious to someone 47 "novel" idea, which is an idea that wouldn't be obvious to someone
48 working in the relevant field. A patent can be for the plans to a 48 working in the relevant field. A patent can be for the plans to a
49 physical object ("regular" patents), an algorithm (software patent), 49 physical object ("regular" patent), an algorithm (software patent),
50 of a way of doing something (process patent). Once you have a 50 of a way of doing something (process patent). Once you have a
51 patent, it gives you the ability to stop anyone else from using your 51 patent, it gives you the ability to stop anyone else from using your
52 idea in any other invention. This is supposed to give you a 52 idea in any other invention. This is supposed to give you a
53 temporary monopoly to help you make money off your invention before 53 temporary monopoly to help you make money off your invention before
54 anyone else would be legally allowed to do so. In practice, many 54 anyone else would be legally allowed to do so. In practice, many