ESP Wiki is looking for moderators and active contributors!
Difference between revisions of "More than patent trolls"
(→Related pages on {{SITENAME}}: * Organising a campaign) |
(list some examples of harm rarely caused by trolls) |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{navbox}} | {{navbox}} | ||
− | + | [[patent trolls]] get a lot of media coverage, but they're just one of many problems which arise from software patents, and they're not the biggest problem either. | |
+ | |||
+ | Patent problem examples: | ||
+ | # When your computer says it can't play a certain audio/video format | ||
+ | # When some new software isn't compatible with your old software or with the software of the people you interact with | ||
+ | # When you can only find one, or a small number of software packages to do a particular task | ||
+ | # When you or your company is prevented from developing useful software | ||
+ | |||
+ | ...the cause was probably a large software company rather than a Non-Producing Entity (a troll). | ||
One source of the problem is that some people measure harm by counting court cases and out of court settlements. [[Harm with neither litigation nor threats]] is harder to count. | One source of the problem is that some people measure harm by counting court cases and out of court settlements. [[Harm with neither litigation nor threats]] is harder to count. |
Revision as of 22:24, 17 November 2011
patent trolls get a lot of media coverage, but they're just one of many problems which arise from software patents, and they're not the biggest problem either.
Patent problem examples:
- When your computer says it can't play a certain audio/video format
- When some new software isn't compatible with your old software or with the software of the people you interact with
- When you can only find one, or a small number of software packages to do a particular task
- When you or your company is prevented from developing useful software
...the cause was probably a large software company rather than a Non-Producing Entity (a troll).
One source of the problem is that some people measure harm by counting court cases and out of court settlements. Harm with neither litigation nor threats is harder to count.
Problems which would still exist without trolls
- All businesses are targets
- Blocking innovation and research
- Blocking useful freedoms
- Blocks competing software, reducing choice
- Breaks software distribution methods
- Controlling entire markets
- Costs are astronomically disproportionate for SMEs and individuals
- Costs of the patent system to governments
- Examples of use for sabotage
- Freedom of expression
- Harm to standards
- Harms to education
- Hindering competition, obstructing the free market
- Incompatible timespans
- Infringement is unavoidable
- Jobs and skills
- Publishing information is made dangerous
- Software patents harm SMEs
Related pages on ESP Wiki
External links
This entry is a stub.
The information provided is too short. You can help us by expanding it and adding appropriate sources.