I don't know about everyone else, but I work in a small software shop. We only have 6 people in the company, and let's just say that we have ALOT of fun. Slot-Car tracks in the office, beer on the back deck overlooking the golf course, yada yada yada.
So one day we were bored and three of us went out and bought motorcycles. Now we take weekend trips with and without the "significant others" as an office group. Not exactly what you would call the old school BBQ, but definitely social.
As a soon to be patent holder I am somewhat concerned that my ideas/technology will be taken from me, even with the patent.
As we all have seen in the recent past, a patent is only as good as the amount of money you can throw at it defending your "property" rights in court. Many corporations peruse the patent lists looking for good ideas to rip-off. And if a corporation, say Micro$oft, was to produce a product that clearly is "supposed" to be protected by a patent, there would be no way for a garage-inventor to back a long-term legal action against such a giant. The corporation in question could tie up the whole proceedings in court indefinitely while making $$ off of the original idea.
Patents may be nothing more than a good way to get to see a judge in person. But then again.....
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I don't know about everyone else, but I work in a small software shop. We only have 6 people in the company, and let's just say that we have ALOT of fun. Slot-Car tracks in the office, beer on the back deck overlooking the golf course, yada yada yada.
So one day we were bored and three of us went out and bought motorcycles. Now we take weekend trips with and without the "significant others" as an office group. Not exactly what you would call the old school BBQ, but definitely social.
As a soon to be patent holder I am somewhat
concerned that my ideas/technology will be
taken from me, even with the patent.
As we all have seen in the recent past, a patent
is only as good as the amount of money you can
throw at it defending your "property" rights
in court. Many corporations peruse the patent
lists looking for good ideas to rip-off. And if
a corporation, say Micro$oft, was to produce a
product that clearly is "supposed" to be protected
by a patent, there would be no way for a garage-inventor
to back a long-term legal action
against such a giant. The corporation in question
could tie up the whole proceedings in court indefinitely
while making $$ off of the original
idea.
Patents may be nothing more than a good way to
get to see a judge in person. But then again.....