Re:Two things about SOPA/PIPA and then I'll shut up
by keen on Sunday January 22, 2012 @03:09PM
(#3497529)
How about banning new software patents, and letting existing ones run their course?
The Apples and Microsofts of the world might be okay with that.
Re:Two things about SOPA/PIPA and then I'll shut up
by beatpanda on Monday January 23, 2012 @01:37AM
(#3499367)
What's fair or even possible isn't the point.
"We don't have to get all this stuff. We merely have to tie them up fighting it, and re-center the "compromise" position."
See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window, Richard Stallman
Re:Two things about SOPA/PIPA and then I'll shut up
by studentrob on Sunday January 22, 2012 @05:32PM
(#3497989)
Raising awareness of the problem is the first step.
A lot of people still do not know why software patents are bad. Similar to sopa and pipa, except to a larger degree here, mostly software engineers and very internet savvy users are aware of the problem with software patents.
We need more anecdotes and evidence, then a way to deliver the message. Once the problem is defined, the solution will present itself. If it doesn't, we have failed at defining and convincing people of the problem.
I mean take the first example: elimination of software patents. This is great and I would like this to happen, too. A pretty significant problem, however, is that some of the most successful and most powerful American companies are built around these laws and prop up these laws, help write these laws, etc.
Does anyone believe our legal system is going to say: "Sorry, Microsoft (Apple, IBM, whoever), all the billions you spent on software patents and legal fees and all the money you earn from them is gone. We've decided software patents are unfair so that massive part of your business is now invalid."
We can sit around all day outlining what we think would be the most fair policies. It is all irrelevant if we can't define a path to get there.