[Asterisk-Users] g.729 - licenses and opinions

[Brian Cuthie]

BZZZT! Wrong too. 

Patents are a trade. The holder of the IP opens it up for public 
scrutiny and in return for exclusive control. Otherwise, companies would 
(and often do) keep the IP a trade secret.

-brian

Andrew Kohlsmith wrote:

>>Just remember that you were given those patents as incentive to invent so
>>that ultimately your work would go into the public domain so we can all
>>enjoy it. We are buying your work with our tax dollars by protecting it
>>for a short period of time so you have a little monetary incentive.
>>    
>>
>
>BZZZT!  Wrong.
>
>He was given those patents as in incentive to invent something that he could 
>SELL without everyone on the planet copying his hard work and competing on 
>his idea.  Patents put the process out in the public so that it's easy to see 
>when someone's infringing.
>
>17 years for software patents is FAR too long, IMO, but that's an entirely 
>different story.  IMO software patents shoudln't be for more than ~24 months 
>since the industry moves so blazingly fast.
>
>Regards,
>Andrew
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