The Clear October Sky

I own the spoon(tm).
david.nikdel posted in general on March 2nd, 2006

Life has been both hectic and exciting since my last post. I had a test in my Languages and Automata class last week which it turns out I got a 97 on (go me). Then, this week has been packed full of fun and exciting events, only some of which I’m ready to talk about. For one, I found out the patent application for my kiosk filelist distribution system is going to move forward (funny enough, I found this out not by being told by my director, but by seeing the patent incentive bonus clear hehe).  I guess this is good, although who knows how long it will take before it actually becomes a real patent (assuming it gets approved). As much as I’m not so sure about the legitimacy of software patents, I can’t deny the appeal of eventually seeing one with my name on it. My dad holds a patent for a physical invention and we have a bronzed plate with the schematic on it in our living room. I’ve always thought it was the neatest thing.

Despite my process patent qualms, I can’t really argue with NCR’s stance. Companies today see IP firms cropping up all over the place just acquiring patents and then sitting on them. Existing solely to litigate, they never intend to produce a product of any kind (the very definition of a drain on society). The only defense against this seems to be to have your own portfolio of patents showing prior art and possibly turning the tables should any of them get challenged. It may end up that they are infringing on your patent, but since these IP firms don’t actually make anything, it’s hard to show legitimate loss, so their flank is unfortunately covered. It’s pretty rediculous the state of things these days. Hopefully when someone with half a brain finally gets in the white house, this might get sorted out. Microsoft and Google have both separately been pressing for changes in the way the patent system works for some time now, so maybe if the rest of the industry gets behind them money will make change (no pun intended) where common sense, so far, has not.