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IP Insurance For Software

Posted by michael on from the solutions-in-search-of-a-problem dept.

isn't my name writes "We all know that OSRM has come out to offer insurance against intellectual property claims for open source software. Recently, we've seen IBM open up 500 patents and SUN up the ante with 1600. But all of these moves are targeted at F/OSS software. There's an article at IPW that looks at the state of patent insurance for non-F/OSS."

1 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. Wrong solution - need better laws by iamacat · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Legitimate patent licensing for non-free software doesn't cripple the product unless it's trying to just rip off other people's work without adding extra value. Office supplies companies don't buy patent insurance - they just pay 3 cents a piece for items they ship. If royalties are too steep, there is an option to ask government for compulsory licensing. That is rarely used, but patent owners know it's there and generally negotiate based on value of their invention.

    Instead of wasting money on insurance, concerned companies should pool funds for lobbying to reform patent and civil litigation laws.