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Correction to your correction.
In the US, A patent's purpose is to promote the progress of science and useful arts. The very discussion of patents in the Constitution begins first and foremost with that goal. Patents and copyrights are nothing more than the means to achieve the goal of promoting progress. In Article 1, Section 8, we're told that "The Congress shall have Power..."

"...To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries"

The patent's purpose is NOT to make the inventor money. Rather, it secures exclusive rights (within the territories of the United States) for a limited time in order to encourage the inventor to fully disclose the invention for the betterment of Society. In fact, a patent REQUIRES full disclosure.

If the patent's purpose was as you imagine it, John, there would be some guarantee of profit. There isn't. You have an opportunity, for a limited time. It's up to you to make the most of it. Whether you do or not, the patent process ensures that your invention is available to the public once the limited term is up.

Here's the text of the Constitution. It's a shame more people don't read it:
http://www.constitution.org/constit_.htm
Posted by: dave.leigh@...   Posted on: 07/21/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Patents should only be held by the human inventor.  Update victim | 07/21/06
Patents are "common knowledge"  Anton Philidor | 07/21/06
Correction  John L. Ries | 07/21/06
Correction to your correction.  dave.leigh@... | 07/21/06
Invisible hand.  Anton Philidor | 07/21/06
Jefferson's view  dave.leigh@... | 07/22/06
Jefferson did not write...  Anton Philidor | 07/22/06
Anton: Big picture.  dave.leigh@... | 07/22/06
Bigger picture  Anton Philidor | 07/23/06
Biggest picture.  dave.leigh@... | 07/23/06
You're right.  Anton Philidor | 07/21/06
Gates goes open source - sort of  Chad_z | 07/21/06
Silly kids, this is old hat.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/21/06
even more "open"  mm8ball@... | 07/22/06
Services of company  hdelsman@... | 07/22/06

What do you think?

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