Re: Gates Patents Flipping a Light Switch

[Martha H Adams]

More truth up this thread.  Yes, a patent can be bad because prior art
got there first.  Or because it's so broad it's meaningless.  However.
Imagine you're an independent programmer or the owner and operator of
a small business that does $100K or $1 megabuck business per year.
(Side point: most innovation comes from such small people and
businesses.)

Now imagine Microsoft with all its Washington connections not to
mention a $50 billion warchest and a bevy of experienced committed
lawyers sends you a nastygram.  

Now you tell me, however right your position might be, does a little
detail like in-the-right make any difference at all who wins?
Assuming anyone can sort it out from the expectable mountain of
verbage? 

Cheers -- Martha Adams