GPL-like system for Patents

Freedom Fighter writes "Here's a guy who is trying to create GPL-ish patent pools. He's already got some people intertested including Raph Levien who recently placed his patents under the GPL. Seems that companies can contribute their patents to the pool. Depending on how much freedom they are willing to give people to use those patents, they receive a certain amount of freedom to use other people's patents as well." I could swear we've mentioned this site before but I don't see it in the archives. Well, consider it mentioned.

this helps solves a big problem

[Big Torque]

The system almost forces companies to patent stupid stuff just so they don't get screwed by someone else who will. Once you have the stupid patent it is only a matter of time before a suit will try to make it hard for on his or her computation no matter how stupid it is (hay he got the patent). This allows every one to move on with making truly new stuff and help bring an end to insanity.

Re:this helps solves a big problem

[Trepalium]

Hey, it's the american way. Screw everyone you possibly can! It's a pity that the legal system isn't tempered with some common sense these days.

Re: You don't need a patent to fight patents!

[philistein]

Euh, no.

To prevent a patent being issued or have it voided, you just need prior art that's been published. So just your in-house documentation or source doesn't cut it, doc's that have been published i.e. provable to have been available to a relevant public will do perfectly. You really don't need a patent to prevent a patent!

In the IP-world there are special 'Technical Disclosure Bulletins' where inventions can be published that you don't want to patent but want to prevent others from patenting.