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I question the validity of your first statement
You said, "In the past, patents were almost universally regarded as essential to the economy. By rewarding innovation, they created an incentive for inventors to invent more."

I would agree with that up to a point. That point is, "Is there a need to provide an incentive in what most would say is the most competitive market the world has ever seen?" Personally (and I hold patents) I would say no, it is not needed at all. The competitive landscape provides more incentive than anything else ever could.

Why is that an important point? The idea behind a patent is that society enters a covenant with the inventor so that society benefits from their efforts. However, if there is no need for such a covenant, if there is already more than enough incentive, then does society benefit? I would have to say no. In fact, patents at that point become a negative to new products being brought to market and that works against societies needs and goals.

I think the most important thing to remember when discussing patent issues is that it is NOT done for the benefit of the inventor, it is done for the benefit of society as a whole. Somehow we seem to have lost sight of that fact.
Posted by: No_Ax_to_Grind   Posted on: 10/10/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Reform?  Tim Patterson | 10/10/07
Be very afraid  frgough | 10/10/07
Sorry but you're so very wrong  maldain | 10/10/07
Exactly, and...  Cayble | 10/10/07
Sourcing has astronomical elasticity. Example: Compression RDK_aa3.4.6..i2  RobeTirm@... | 10/10/07
What?  James T. Kirk | 10/10/07
I think he used one of those spam nonsense generators to create that (nt)  enduser_z | 10/10/07
I question the validity of your first statement  No_Ax_to_Grind | 10/10/07
RE: Limiting Continuations  DigiMediaMan | 10/10/07
RE: Fixing a broken patent system  wpenrose | 10/10/07
IP lawyer yes; patent attorney no  DigiMediaMan | 10/10/07
RE: Fixing a broken patent system  mabe3 | 10/10/07
Ummm, no...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 10/10/07
Prior art often exists which could make patent applications fraud  David Chassels | 10/10/07
How would you do that?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 10/10/07
I don't think that's what he was suggesting  maldain | 10/10/07
Its not the small guys it's the big ones that need to be held to account  David Chassels | 10/11/07
RE: Fixing a broken patent system  eengnerd | 10/10/07
All patents must die [nt]  Omch'Ar | 10/10/07

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