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Difference between revisions of "Blocking competing software"

m (moved Preventing software development, reducing choice to Blocks competing software, reducing choice: that's what I wanted to say: Blocks competing software)
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Software patents prevent multiple teams from innovating in the same field.  So instead of ten word processors, you'll only have two.
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{{navbox}}Software patents prevent multiple teams from innovating in the same field.  So instead of ten word processors, you'll only have two.
  
 
This factor is particularly important in the software field because the software industry already has a strong tendency towards the creation of natural monopolies, partly due to the cost of competing with an established incumbent, and partly due to the natural desire of users to adopt the products that they see a majority of other users using, because of the benefits this brings in terms of interoperability and adoption costs.
 
This factor is particularly important in the software field because the software industry already has a strong tendency towards the creation of natural monopolies, partly due to the cost of competing with an established incumbent, and partly due to the natural desire of users to adopt the products that they see a majority of other users using, because of the benefits this brings in terms of interoperability and adoption costs.

Revision as of 23:47, 30 March 2010

Software patents prevent multiple teams from innovating in the same field. So instead of ten word processors, you'll only have two.

This factor is particularly important in the software field because the software industry already has a strong tendency towards the creation of natural monopolies, partly due to the cost of competing with an established incumbent, and partly due to the natural desire of users to adopt the products that they see a majority of other users using, because of the benefits this brings in terms of interoperability and adoption costs.

For new entrants to the market, interoperability with established products is often a precondition of success. Patents can make such interoperability much harder (sometimes impossible) to achieve.

Higher prices

The cost of all these patents has to be paid by someone, often the users.

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