31 lines
1.6 KiB
Markdown
31 lines
1.6 KiB
Markdown
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# Abolishing Patents
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My issue with patents exceeds the [obvious case against software patents][0];
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indeed, I have long pondered the problems with patents in other fields. When I
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hear the phrase "patent pending" or "patented technology" touted in ads, I
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have never thought positive thoughts; instead, I have thought "you are damning
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this otherwise excellent work to stagnation". What if someone has an excellent
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idea to improve upon that particular product? Well, they'd better be prepared to
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jump through some hoops or shell out some hefty licensing fees. Or maybe it's
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just easier to abandon the idea entirely and forget that it had never happened.
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[0]: http://patentabsurdity.com/
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However, I thought, it's not a simple case of ridding the world of patents.
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How would that affect the incentive to innovate? How would people recoup
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expensive R&D costs, especially in industries like pharmacy (both my parents are
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pharmacists)? What about the incentive to describe your invention to the world?
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Then again, nobody *has* to get a patent for their invention. It may be worth
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keeping it secret if nobody can figure it out.
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The answers to all of these questions appeared in one place: [The Case Against
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Patents][1], which I found referenced in an article regarding the [Swedish Pirate
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Party's opinions on patents, trademarks and copyright][2]. While it is still a
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draft at the time of this writing, I encourage you to give it a read, as it is
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very enlightening.
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[1]: http://research.stlouisfed.org/wp/2012/2012-035.pdf
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[2]: http://falkvinge.net/2012/10/13/what-the-swedish-pirate-party-wants-with-patents-trademarks-and-copyright/
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