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This is not a new argument ...
... and the anti-software patent campaign in the EU used exactly this litigation argument as a reason why software patents were damaging. US advocates of patent reform have pointed it out on ocassion as well.

Of course, Bill Gates pointed out the basic problems back in 1991 when he said that patents would be used to block competitors. Ligigation was implied in the statement.

Microsoft is an examplar in this area. It already has a couple of billion it won't be investing in R&D and that is just Eolas and Alcatel.
Posted by: bportlock   Posted on: 05/29/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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This is not a new argument ...  bportlock | 05/29/07
But Eolas and Alcatel...  Anton Philidor | 05/29/07
Let us dispose of this well-worn and incorrect argument  bportlock | 05/29/07
Let' not forget the portion going to lawyers, the distraction of the  DonnieBoy | 05/29/07
Yes - I had neglected those details....  bportlock | 05/29/07
Money moving through an economy helps.  Anton Philidor | 05/29/07
We are talking tranfering a lot of money to lawyers, and some from one  DonnieBoy | 05/29/07
Donnie, how do lawyers help the economy?  Anton Philidor | 05/30/07
if we did not need so many lawyers, they could do something else productive  DonnieBoy | 05/30/07
Unilateral?  rapson | 05/29/07
The difference is ....  bportlock | 05/29/07
Would you preclude Microsoft from being generous?  Anton Philidor | 05/29/07
My choice is...  Mercutio_Viz | 05/30/07
I'm not spoiling for a fight....  bportlock | 05/30/07
Patent money can change hands without a Court case...  Anton Philidor | 05/30/07
Right, but still a huge drain and distraction. Instead of inovating, these  DonnieBoy | 05/30/07
Who is paying?  Jambalaya Breath | 06/07/07
Losing is the lesson  DanaBlankenhorn ZDNet Moderator | 05/29/07
Which is why....  bportlock | 05/29/07
Still unilateral  rapson | 05/29/07
Hopefully, if everybody starts to realize that Software patents will just  DonnieBoy | 05/29/07
All we've seen...  rapson | 05/30/07
The other thing that has to be EXTREMELY frustrating for MS is that  DonnieBoy | 05/29/07
Somebody wrote it  rapson | 05/29/07
Let us say...  bportlock | 05/29/07
With the GPL, there is no patent guarantee. It is specifically excluded.  DonnieBoy | 05/29/07
Interesting thing about bankruptcy  Jambalaya Breath | 06/07/07
And, this is another reason, that, from a customer perspective, open source  DonnieBoy | 05/30/07
and we are not blind  zzz1234567890 | 05/29/07
Innovation != patent  Mitch 74 | 05/30/07
re: Innovation != patent  deaf_e_kate | 05/30/07
Zemlin's observations may be correct ...  MisterMiester | 05/29/07
Yes, a great quote, and one to remember!!  DonnieBoy | 05/30/07
Litigation doesn't only screw up technology.  Rick_R | 06/01/07

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