Re: FSF : lackeys of their corporate masters

[Bernd Jendrissek]

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In article <cunsmectokf.fsf@zero-based.org> Martin Dickopp
<expires-2004-06-30@zero-based.org> wrote:
>Michael Elizabeth Chastain <mec@shout.net> writes:
>> The GPL has worked fine for copyrights.  I've often wondered if it
>> would be useful to start a GPL-like patent pool instead of just
>> knocking down other people's patents.
>
>I don't see what good that would do.  If you want to ensure that your
>idea stays free, just publish it instead of patenting it and then
>contributing it to some kind of pool.  The former ensures that the idea
>stays free (and is much cheaper and easier), just like the GPL ensures
>that an implementation of the idea stays free.

It's all well and nice being ideologically "pure" and shunning all
patents, even for yourself, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do.  If
you have your own (pooled) patent portfolio, you don't have to worry as
much anymore about other people shutting you down when they don't like
what you do, by threatening to sue *you* for patent infringement.

Sorta the way IBM counter-sued SCO for patent infringement.  Just
because you have the patent doesn't mean you *have* to prosecute all
unlicensed uses.  IIRC patents aren't subject to the "defend it or lose
it" model as trademarks are.

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