As an example one might conceive of a new manner in which to perform the calculation of the inverse of a linear equation in which constants corresponding to the amplitude and phase of the tonal frequencies of each sound element of a sampled sound could be adjusted and the entire modified assembly played in real time.  This basic method could be done by any number of possible computer code combinations ALL FOLLOWING THE METHOD.  This then would be an invention and not something one could protect under a copyright.  A good example of such an invention is the Blackmun-Tuckey Fast Fourier Transform.

Such an invention is extremely valuable to society and industry.  Those who can create such things are inventors and deserve to receive a reward for the fruits of their creation along with other artists, writers, scientists and musicians.

From my point of view, the real issue is with the lack of scrutiny many patent applications seem to go under.  This seems to be an issue almost exclusively with software and business concept patents.  I have seen numerous patents that all seem to be for effectively the same thing, or things that are no different than what already exists.  One of my real pet peeves is where a single idea gets patented multiple times simply by being moved to a different medium.  To me, that is the same idea, some of these ideas have existed for hundreds of years, yet when a new medium comes out, people are able to re-patent that idea on a new medium.  The one I recall best was a patent for something like “awarding prizes based on your performance in a game on a mobile platform.”  Now, this patent would prevent companies that existed using that business plan in other mediums, from entering that new medium.

You also need to admit, that a company which to most people is only there to horde patents and sue people for using their technology, while they produce nothing themselves, does just seem like a terrible thing.  That they are paying the actual inventor for these inventions, thus encouraging the creation of these inventions in the first place, gets lost.  I am unfamiliar with the function of these companies, but do they actually promote the use of their inventions, do they go around and market them to firms that would actually have use for them?  To me, if they do that they seem quite valid as promoting technology and advancement.  If they don’t how do they ever establish a market rate for their patents?  Simply forcing someone to pay after they’re already using it, is just skewing the market, they’re already invested in it and might not have gone in that direction had they been aware.

If we simply make it much easier for people to be able to review pending patents, to make comment on whether it is valid, and to browse through/review existing patents, to assure they aren’t infringing, would be greatly appreciated.  Right now, to get any decent review of either you need to hire patent attorneys, and the majority of small companies and individuals don’t have the budget for it.

Note: Software is already covered under copyright law, so is there really a need for additional patent protection? You can copy someone’s general plot/storyline without issue, you just can’t take the specifics, that might make sense for how software IP should work as well?

The great and all seeing  ”dg” then declares the idea not “significant” and all the money made by the theft of the idea is blessed by “dg”.  

So the movie docudrama “Flash of Genius” is all a lie eh “dg”?

It’s happening again right now in many places all over the world honest inventors and usually solo inventors having their work stolen and schmucks like “dg” treating it as just  rather the terrible injustice it actually is.

NOTICE ONE THING This discussion is copyrighted!  That’s right these birds think we inventors should give our work away but pay for their weak and sloppy prose and poor journalism. Its Roberts and his ilk who should be hanging their heads in shame.

You go ahead and enforce your rights. My question to you is have you ever tried to do so? Have you ever put anyone on notice? Have you ever tried to make your inventions into a product? Just curious.Don’t let the childish epithet troll make you defensive or feel bad for even one minute.  Those who cannot invent and create are forever telling us after we invent that our work is obvious but that is a very special legal term and does not mean what most people think.  Its not obvious if the implementation you created with its combination of elements had not been done before.