Difference between revisions of "Software patents harm SMEs"
(→External links: * [http://www.lawandinnovation.org/documents/Patent_Trolls.PDF Patent Trolls Prey on SMEs], by Rita S. Heimes) |
(→Studies: * 2008 Berkeley Patent Survey) |
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* [[Rethinking the European ICT agenda]] "''...most small enterprises are strongly opposed.''" | * [[Rethinking the European ICT agenda]] "''...most small enterprises are strongly opposed.''" | ||
* [[Innovation in Germany, Windows of opportunity]] "''...SMEs are crucial providers of pathbreaking innovations, but would be most adversely affected by patentability....''" | * [[Innovation in Germany, Windows of opportunity]] "''...SMEs are crucial providers of pathbreaking innovations, but would be most adversely affected by patentability....''" | ||
| + | * [[2008 Berkeley Patent Survey]] | ||
''(See other [[studies on economics and innovation]])'' | ''(See other [[studies on economics and innovation]])'' | ||
Revision as of 13:40, 20 July 2010
During the lobbying around the EU software patents directive, representatives of small and medium enterprises were against software patents.
Reasons
SMEs can't afford to get patents. (See: costs of patenting)
The patent grant process is too slow. SMEs have to get to profitability quickly to survive.
SMEs can't afford to check every idea they come up with to make sure that it hasn't already been patented by someone else.
SMEs can't afford to defend themselves against patent litigation, even if they're sure the patent is invalid.
SMEs can't even get insurance against the risk of unintentional patent infringement (insurance companies know when a risk is too big to take on.)
The cost of patent enforcement might excede the size of revenue they would be trying to protect.
Statements
Studies
- Rethinking the European ICT agenda "...most small enterprises are strongly opposed."
- Innovation in Germany, Windows of opportunity "...SMEs are crucial providers of pathbreaking innovations, but would be most adversely affected by patentability...."
- 2008 Berkeley Patent Survey
(See other studies on economics and innovation)
Related pages on ESP Wiki
- Some SMEs like software patents myth - when pro-swpat corporations pretend to speak for SMEs
- passive threats - a common way that SMEs are "targeted"
- Who owns software patents? - it's not the SMEs
- Costs of patenting
External links
- How Patents Are Harming Small Companies Too
- Interview mentioning that 3% of patent applicants own 50% of the patents granted by the EPO, good quotes
- Economic Majority testemonials, mostly from SMEs, regarding the EU software patents directive
- Patent Trolls Prey on SMEs, by Rita S. Heimes
- French original: Small publishers worry about being choked by patents (English translations[?]: Google, bing translator)
