Why Software Patents Are a Joke — Literally

eburnette writes "A former Sun/Oracle employee explains how developers created patents in an unofficial contest to see who could get the goofiest patent through the system. James Gosling said, '... we got sued, and lost. The penalty was huge. Nearly put us out of business. We survived, but to help protect us from future suits we went on a patenting binge. Even though we had a basic distaste for patents, the game is what it is, and patents are essential in modern corporations, if only as a defensive measure. There was even an unofficial competition to see who could get the goofiest patent through the system. My entry wasn't nearly the goofiest.' Now Oracle is using patents from the same folks as the basis for its lawsuit against Google."

Re:Yep

[sznupi]

Why do you hate their right to be successful?

Let's apply for patent on deep breathing

[HollyMolly-1122]

Athletes will pay first...

Re:This has nothing to do with software patents

[melikamp]

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Destructive memes at its best

[jpate]

over my dead body!

Re:Why?

[homotron]

How are patents anti-capitalism when the very basis of capitalism is protection or private property? Is IP not property? Capitalists are very much in favor of private property and the forces necessary to help preserve what is yours (courts,police,army).