(Bill Gates 1991: Patents exclude competitors, lead industry to standstill)
This was quoted by Fred Warshofsky in "The Patent Wars" of 1994. The text is from an internal memo written by Bill Gates to his staff. Part of has appeared in another Gates memos.
Yeah, same Bill... its interesting to see how people grow and change over the years and time.
A great example is the Disney corporation. They jacked Steam Boat Bill and built their empire from the Public Domain of the Brothers Grimm... in other words: "You cannot do today to Dinsney inc. What Walt Disney did to the Brothers Grimm"... a little unfair don't you think?
Don't be an apologist
... its wasn't 'always this way'... the laws that are being created (even now) are hindering our creativity and innovation. By buying into "patents" we limit ourselves and the world around us.
It is a DREAM to think if you patent something that you are garanteed to be a millionaire. The REALITY is that only large corporations can buy patents and make the money off the ideas of the little guy (meaning us).
That is the reason why I find the
Creative Commons so interesting. They take what you come up with (ideas, inventions, art, written work, songs, video, pictures, etc) and allow people to share it under their own terms.
Now if someone has a genually GOOD idea, that is actually BUILDABLE by the average Joe... people can freely share that information and make it at home (sell it on the corner, whatever) without having to spend a lot of $$$ and time on something that might not even attract an investor or ever take off.
It can be that easy, when you skip the intermediaries
Just imagine a world where technology can spread like lightning, where the world can better itself by combining its mental energy... I think Thinkcycle.org and the Ideas Bank are great examples of people pulling together for the betterment of humanity. We are at a very exciting time in our history right now. The future (and past) are ours, its time we take it back.
... I apologize if I sound a bit snippy... but my father has stuggled his whole life when it comes to patents, I don't believe they work or help humanity in anyway other than the rich getting richer. And thats just my personal oppinion.