Re: The patent process [Was Re: Sharing the Family PC is Patent-Pending]

[Stefan Monnier]

> I think the pharmaceutical industry is the classic case.  They spend
> gob-smacking amounts on trying to make the next life-saving drug.  The vast
> majority of attempts fail in trials.  The cost of satisfying government
> agencies is huge.  And, by the time they have got through the process, there
> are only a few years left on the patent, in which to try to get their money
> back! Then it becomes "generic", and everyone can make & sell it.

Actually, most of the try&fail takes place in government-financed research.
And don't forget: pharmaceutical companies spend more money on
advertisement than on research.

> Change a few details about patent law, and they would make more money if they
> just stuck what they had in a bank, fired all their researchers, and just
> claimed the interest! (And let people die).

Oh, they already let people die alright, don't you worry.


        Stefan