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

[Barry Margolin]

In article <siegman-C04526.13101111052004@news.stanford.edu>,
 AES/newspost <siegman@stanford.edu> wrote:

> In article <barmar-71949D.12005711052004@comcast.ash.giganews.com>,
>  Barry Margolin <barmar@alum.mit.edu> wrote:
> 
> > But there's often a "race" to be the first one to succeed and patent the 
> > result, because of the advantage that provides.  If the patent system 
> > didn't exist, they might not bother entering the race in the first 
> > place, since success wouldn't provide the hoped-for reward.
> 
> Basically, NOT TRUE!  The motivations are many and otherwise.

That doesn't contradict what I wrote, since I said "might".  Some people 
might invent for other reasons, but I suspect it's a relatively small 
fraction.

-- 
Barry Margolin, barmar@alum.mit.edu
Arlington, MA