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software patent[edit]

Cuberoot31. I found your proposal on a new form of patent protection for software interesting. You've laid out the issues that many of us continually struggle with. You might want to float this idea at [1].--Nowa 10:16, 26 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Could you please explain your "new form of patent protection"? I am interested but unable to find the archive. Agalmic (talk) 14:08, 10 June 2008 (UTC)[reply]

First the reason: Since software is easy to copy and hard to prove theft of ideas for (as there are so many ways to do the same thing), an openly published patent that actually describes a useful way of solving a software problem is just asking for your IP to get ripped off by those with limited morals. Also, encouraging development of open-source software improves the quality (and lowers the cost) of all software. Suggested solution: Have an IP library (possibly private, but requiring effective legal enforcement) where you can file fully operational source code that solves a problem. Have it well-categorized and searchable, so the entity controlling the library can do searches for those who are interested in using the IP, and also quickly search for possible infringements for new items added to the library. As the source code is there directly, it would be easy to check whether two different solutions overlap (or if the new solution overlaps with anything that is open-source). The code would have to pass any regressions the patent examiner developed, along with basic regressions the filer provides (it needs to work). Limit the patent to 10 years (charge more for anything over 5 years). When the patent expires, publish the provided implementation as open-source. Advantages: Provides a stronger software patent, though shorter-term. Provides an efficient way for companies to look up and license proven technology. Provides working innovative open-source software to the world in general when the patent expires.Cuberoot31 (talk) 20:03, 10 June 2008 (UTC)[reply]