Slashdot Mirror
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.'"
As regular Slashdot posters often refuse to grow up, they find their acne-ridden, jobless selves staring blankly at the television set watching Cartoon Network all day. And not just for a chance to see the Powerpuff Girls episode where they meet their own (heavily endowed) selves from the future either.
To this end, I would like to draw the Slashdot community to what could be Cartoon Network's FINEST parody. The day Richard Stallman appeared on Dexter's Laboratory.
There was an episode wherein Dexter was preparing for yet another test, and got onto the Schoolbus, clutching his "lucky pencil". Sitting down next to another geek we hadn't seen before, (clearly a reference to Linus Torvalds), the bus set off.
In the course of the bus journey, Dexter ends up losing his pencil, which rolls to the back of the bus. This area is considered 'off-limits' by the schoolkids on the bus, and they have developed a collection of myths related to it.
After having these stories related to him, Dexter decides that there is no way he is going to leave his pencil behind (a metaphor of his creativity and scientific genius) and proceeds into the dark recesses of the bus.
After some exploring, Dexter happens upon a nightmarish environment of shadows and imperceptible fear, as a giant figure looms above him, who then reveals himself to be a fat, bearded hippy.
The backstory for this character explains that he was a lazy child who fell asleep on the bus, with his hair stuck to some chewing gum. Unable to free himself from the bonds forged from his own laziness, this man-child grew up to be an unkempt scruffy figure, obese and obscured by facial hair. It is clear who this portly Peter Pan-esque figure represents. RMS in shape and thought.
But what about deed? It turns out that this character had kept himself alive over the 20 or so years he had been trapped in the back of the bus by growing his toenails long, so that he may use them as a claw to grab other children's food and discarded items. Is this not how the GNU movement works, ensaring other people's work in order to sustain the beast at the centre?
In a symbolic gesture, Dexter retrieves his pencil from the child-like hippy by, of all things, giving him a haircut. This is clearly an example of how Free Software programmers can find gainful employment by taking some consideration over their appearence.
Although one should always say goodbye to childish things, it is good to know that even the simplest cartoons have lessons to offer.
"Why did they cancel my favorite Sci-Fi show? I downloaded ALL the episodes!"
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/01/iphearings.htm
been up almost 4 hours. the only comments: A crapflood and a link correction. will anyone be saying something on this issue? hmmm?
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.
The link in the story is bad. Don't lower my Karma for pointing this out.
If your not cheating your not trying. If your not trying your not winning and if your not winning why play?
ANAL COX.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...what? That's all I have to say. Go away!!
STOP ME BEFORE I POST AGAIN!
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
Gregory Casamento
## Chief Maintainer for GNUstep