> Inspired by the thread above started by Gus, I'd like to seek opinions 
> and visions for better systems than patents.
> 
> e.g. What could be fairer, smarter, better for business, promote open 
> development, bring people together etc? (Well, that's just how my brain 
> works.)

IMHO there is nothing wrong with patents as a basic idea, but everything 
is wrong with the current implementation.

The two basic ideas are

- giving a limited-time monopoly encourages investment in new 
discoveries that otherwise would not be discovered

- the mandatory publication spreads ideas that would otherwise remain secret

IMHO patents should only be granted for discoveries that would otherwise 
not be made. This puts requirements on the fields and/or the invention 
level. Especially the required invention level is nowadays far far too low.

Also the current practice is that getting a patent is relatively cheap, 
and defending or busting it is expensive. That should be reversed (which 
will only be possible with a higher invention level and hence a much 
lower quantity of patent applications).

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Wouter van Ooijen

-- -------------------------------------------
Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: www.voti.nl
consultancy, development, PICmicro products
docent Hogeschool van Utrecht: www.voti.nl/hvu

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