[ale] OT: sort of it is about OSS

[Pete Hardie]

Ron,

While I agree that there is a need to encourage R&D, "someplace in China"
etc will copy your device, patent or no and undercut you anyway.

Software patents in general are of questionable pedigree

Pete Hardie
--------
Better Living Through Bitmaps


On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 2:48 PM, Ron Frazier (ALE) <
atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com> wrote:

>
>
> Jim Kinney <jim.kinney at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 11:36 AM, Jeff Hubbs <jhubbslist at att.net>
> >wrote:
> >
> >> On 2/14/13 10:43 PM, Scott Castaline wrote:
> >>
> >>> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> >>> Hash: SHA1
> >>>
> >>> Has anyone seen this?
> >>> http://pyfound.blogspot.com/**2013/02/python-trademark-at-**
> >>>
> >risk-in-europe-we.html<
> http://pyfound.blogspot.com/2013/02/python-trademark-at-risk-in-europe-we.html
> >
> >>>
> >>> Are trademarks treated differently that patents? To me it just seems
> >>> like a pile of crap that someone can come along and do that to
> >someone
> >>>
> >> Yes.  Patents are a temporary monopoly on an idea, granted by
> >government
> >> in exchange for full disclosure.
> >
> >
> >And they should be dropped entirely.
> >
> >
>
> I can see both sides of the fence.  I tend to think software patents
> should be eliminated or severely curtailed.  Things like virtual lab test
> instruments muddy the waters, where, the instrument IS the software
> program, and it's just attached to a bit of I/O conditioning circuits.  I
> tend to think patents should be substantially reduced in the modern world.
>
> HOWEVER, say you've just developed the next world's greatest internet
> networking widget appliance.  Your market research shows there will be
> strong demand.  You've spent $ 20 million to pay for R&D, programming,
> machining, molds, templates, assembly lines, market research, and initial
> production.  You face another $ 5 million in marketing costs.  You're ready
> to go.  But, you know that if you put the device on the market without any
> legal protection, it will be reverse engineered and cloned within 90 days
> in China or elsewhere.  Since they didn't incur those up front costs,
> they'll be undercutting your price by a factor of 5.  Assuming the clone
> products are functionally equivalent and marketed well, theirs will sell
> and yours won't.  You will lose much of your $ 25 million.
>
> etc.  etc.
>
> There has to be a way to encourage businesses to take the risks and make
> the investment; as well as protect the consumers from being gouged.  In my
> example above, assuming the market really wants the product, the inventor /
> company has every right to recoup the up front costs and make a reasonable
> profit on their product.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Ron
>
>
>
> --
>
> Sent from my Android Acer A500 tablet with bluetooth keyboard and K-9 Mail.
> Please excuse my potential brevity.
>
> (To whom it may concern.  My email address has changed.  Replying to former
> messages prior to 03/31/12 with my personal address will go to the wrong
> address.  Please send all personal correspondence to the new address.)
>
> (PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
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>
> Ron Frazier
> 770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
> linuxdude AT techstarship.com
>
>
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