Innovation and Patents

[CajunCenturion]

Given that the "good old days" thread has morphed into a discussion on innovation, and the length of the thread, I thought it might be interesting to start a new thread specifically for innovation.

To help keep the discussion going, what are the thoughts on the following article on pending software patent legislation in the EU?

http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/05/08/HNeupatents_1.html

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[guestgulkan]

I think trying to patent software would be a minefield.
I think this partly because there is only so many sensible ways to present a sensible useful intuitive interface to the user for a particular type of program.
For example all 'Word processing' tend to look the same and have the same features/options because they basically do the same thing. This is the same reason all cars tend to look samey.
If however, some company come up with some dazzling new feature than maybe a grant of copyright might be useful - but to try
and patent the 'progress bar' as suggested in the link is a load of nonsense to me.

 

[strongm]

I guess you are posting that because the article mentions the view that "Patent protection...stifles innovation". I'm not sure that I completely agree with that view, but it is certainly true that it has been used to stifle or delay competition.

HP registered hundreds of patents on the flow of ink through a printhead whilst developing their inkjet technology. By the time that the Japanese, who had been the main manufacturers of dot-matix printers, realised that inkjets were taking over they found it very difficult to develop their own competing products because of these patents.

 

[CajunCenturion]

Once could also take the position that patenting may actually foster innovation in that it forces people to look at problems from different perspectives, and to devise new and innovative ways to do things.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[AIXSPadmin]

Did you see the new e-paper they developed? I have said nothing amazes me anymore, but though not amazed, I was impressed. Paper the thickness of 3 human hairs and can be rolled up into a tube and has the clarity of a laptop screen. The only drawback is that it is wired for power now, but they are working on wireless power for it next.

They think applications could be wearable computer screens, etc.

 

[strongm]

Yep, CC, that was going to be my follow up point. I suspect that Epson might never have come up with the piezoelectrical solution if HP hadn't had those inkjet patents.

 

[CajunCenturion]

Sorry to steal your thunder stromngm, but I agree with you, and your example is to the point.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein