FTC Schedules Hearings On Patent Laws

AltGrendel writes: "Starting today, the FTC is having hearings on US Patent laws with, as their web site puts it, 'the primary focus of the hearings will be to examine the implications of competition and patent law and policy for innovation and other aspects of consumer welfare'. The ones that I think may be of most interest are on Feb 20th and Feb 25th thru 28th. The full schedule is here. They also state that 'Written comments from interested parties may be submitted to the FTC.'"

corrected link--

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/01/iphearings.htm [ftc.gov]

Re:wow ... this is generating a lot of interest!

[AltGrendel]

I was suprised too.

Aye, the Reviled IP & Patent Laws!

[Anonymous Coward]

IP & Patents, one of the most reviled items in the news. Should we allow the Patenting of DNA? How about One Click Shopping(tm)?

Many people complain that IP and Patents stiffle innovation by preventing research companies from disclosing their research so that research can move faster. On the other end of the scale are those who complain that no patent protection means that nothing will get done.

In a capitalist market, the goal is to make money. The hated target of anti-globalization groups, capitalism is arguably the best system for the job. Why? Because in the capitalist market, innovation is moved by personal drive for recognition and WEALTH. Many people espouse the argument that open systems are more beneficial to mankind (take the open source movement) but in all honesty, would you spend all your day writing programs if you could never see a dollar from it? Open source developers almost always have a 'day job' so that they can pay the bills. When it comes down to achieving recognition for writing a program: thats great, but you still can't pay your rent. Back to the Crux of the issue, IP and Patent laws are used to ensure that people get rewarded for devoting the time they have to finding new solutions. IP and Patents aren't forever, but they provide a necessary mechanism to a capitalist society to encourage people to innovate. While people are crying foul over IP & Patents because companies leverage it to make money, others are being more constructive to society by utilizing the system to better the system. Where do you think all of the money made on new forms of AIDS drugs go? Mostly back to the researchers to solve new problems. While moralists complain about lack of compassion, maybe they should learn to have some for the efforts to spur innovation.

Re:Aye, the Reviled IP & Patent Laws!

[Ig0r]

Your statements are true; however, it's not the job of the government to ensure that it's citizens are making the most money that they can today, it's job is to ensure that it promotes the greater good of the society for the long term.

Link is Bad

[joeblowme]

The link in the story is bad. Don't lower my Karma for pointing this out.

Please sign my petition against software patents.

[borgheron]

My sig contains the URL for a petition against software patents. It would be good to present this petition at the hearings, or to at least bring it to the attention of those involved.

Thanks, GJC