SCO Thread that will never die (was Re: Maddog at work.)

[pll at lanminds.com]

>>>>> On Tue, 3 Jun 2003, "Ben" == bscott at ntisys.com wrote:

  Ben> Basically, patents are intended to protect ideas.

Well, that is the way they are used, but they were *intended* to 
foster invention and innovation by rewarding the inventor/innovator 
with a 17(?) year span of exclusivity during which they could patent 
that invention/innovation.  Unfortunately, it seems to have done 
exactly the opposite of this :(

  Ben> Two people can write two articles about the same thing, and
  Ben> that is perfectly legal.  But one person cannot just copy the
  Ben> other person's article without permission.

Yeah, just ask the New York Times about that, they seem to know all 
about plagiarism and lying, to the point where if you're good enough, 
they'll even promote you for it ;)

  Ben> The law regarding "trade secrets" I really don't understand,
  Ben> myself.

Yeah, I've never quite gotten this either.  You declare it as a trade 
secret, but don't file a patent on it because that would release the 
trade secret to the public.  But without the patent, in theory, you 
have no protection.  So, what good does declaring it a 'trade secret' 
do you if anyone can come along and "think up" the same thing?
-- 

Seeya,
Paul
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