Be cheaper to wipe out IPCom
I am surprised this has not yet happened
HTC has withdrawn its appeal against a decision in favour of patent-hoarder IPCom, which is now pitching to get HTC handsets off the shelves in Germany by Christmas. HTC claims it has withdrawn the appeal because of last December's ruling that one of the contested patents was invalid. Both sides are appealing that ruling (HTC …
In other news:
"Today <patent troll x> sought an injunction against <company y> for violating its patent which covers the creation, design, intent on bringing to market a product that can be covered in part or in whole by a patent (Innovation). "
But seriously, are we not yet at a point where the "patents encourage innovation" argument is invalidated because the steps to innovate are ring-fenced by a circle of patents?
"The patents are beginning to make the market less competitive"
I think you want to say :
"The patents are making the market less competitive and that's what they are all about."
Guilds, trade unions, "free trade zones", collective bargaining, minimum wage laws, "antitrust" and "intellectual property" - it's all about keeping the people out who can't write the law for the benefit of those who can.
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But seriously, are we not yet at a point where the "patents encourage innovation" argument is invalidated because the steps to innovate are ring-fenced by a circle of patents?
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Read up on James Watt and his inventions for steam engines then see how the industrial revolution didn't really start until after his patents expired
Something along the lines of:-
You can only buy a patent with the intention to implement it and must provide evidence of that intention to sue for infringement.
This only applies to bought patents, not those of the original applicant / author who, obviously, should be able to profit from their own invention.
Is it just me or does it seem Germany is becoming a hotbed for a war on innovation just lately? It seems German companies and German courts are doing their best to prevent consumers from having a choice and now prevent any technological progress.
A great shame, for I've always found Germany quite progressive with high engineering standards - I wonder if this will have an impact on that status in the future, if these patent trolls are allowed to run rampant all over Europe?
How do you think the automotive industry works? They been one of the most prolific patent producers since 1769, the IT industry is a mere amateur, here's a few facts:
http://www.gtai.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/Industries/Automotive/1_Englisch/IndustryOverview_Automotive_September2010_GTAI.pdf
"With an average of 10 patents registered per day, Germany is the world leader in auto industry patents. Around half of these patents are related to environmentally friendly technologies.
Companies based in Germany registered the most patents at the European Patent Office for the period 2000-2006.
With over 13,000 patents granted at the European Patent Office in 2008, Germany’s share is twice as large as that of France and the UK combined.
Germany is also the leading European nation in triadic patents (patents registered at the three major global patent offices: the European Patent Office, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the Japan Patent Office)."