Tech Companies Team Up To Buy Up Patents To Keep Them Away From Others
from the this-won't-help dept
Google, Verizon, HP, Cisco and some others are apparently teaming up to put money towards buying patents to keep them out of the hands of patent hoarders who would turn around and sue them. This isn't a new concept, and has been tried before -- and it didn't help much. The problem is that many of the worst patent suits aren't from "known" patents, but someone claiming a patent on some minor feature that everyone thought was obvious. Also, this type of action only encourages more bad patent activities by adding another buyer to the market. Now, questionable patent holders will recognize that they can also just sell to this patent pool, rather than selling to some patent hoarding firm. This is one of those ideas that sounds good on paper, but will have little to no effect on slowing down or stopping bad patent lawsuits, and may actually encourage more of that activity.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: patent pools
Companies: cisco, google, hp, verizon
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
If you can't bet them, join them
I do not think that patents should be considered a commodity to be traded, bought and sold. What's next, a futures market ?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Solutions are Tough
We want people (inventors, others) to build new stuff and sell it.
Inventors need income. Producers need predictable costs.
Would it make sense to cap royalties due to unperfected patents (those where the inventor hasn't actually marketed the stuff he invents)?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Solutions are Tough
Dude, you should realize that it is next to impossible to collect ANY money from those big serial infringers like Cisco, MShit, Intel, RIM etc.
(A conservative estimate is 5 million bucks and 5 years in litigation)
The other thing you should realize is that everything, I mean EVERY fucking thing is phisically Made in China nowadays
(just go to the nearest Walmart and check for yourself)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Solutions are Tough
The other thing you should realize is that everything, I mean EVERY fucking thing is phisically Made in China nowadays
Yup. Except all the stuff that's not: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9745521?source=rss
But in angry dude's world, as we've learned, facts don't matter at all.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Solutions are Tough
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Solutions are Tough
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Solutions are Tough
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
How to convert DRM protected music and movies to MP4/AVI/MOV/MP3/WMV/AAC...
Queston: I purchased and downloaded some wmv videos from online music store but they are all DRM (Digital Rights Management) protected, which means that I can not enjoy them on my MP3 player and even play them using Windows Media Player on my PC. Could you please tell me there is a way to remove drm from WMV? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Answer: Daniusoft Digital Media Converter software is the quickest and easiest solution to remove drm from WMV, M4V, M4P, WMA, M4A, AAC, M4B, AA files by quick recording. It gets audio and video stream at the bottom of operating system, so the output quality is lossless and the conversion speed is fast . The process is as follows.
Stpe 1 Download and install the DRM Removal Software
Stpe 2 Run the software and click “Add…” button to load WMA or M4A, M4B, AAC, WMV, M4P, M4V, ASF files
http://topsevenreviews.com/guide/how-to-convert-drm-protected-music-movie/step-1-add.jpg
Step 3 Choose output formats. If you want to convert protected audio files, please select “Convert audio to” list; If you want to convert protected video files, please select “Convert video to” list.
Stpe 4 You can click “Settings” button to custom preference for output files.
Click “Settings” button bellow “Convert audio to” list for protected audio files
http://topsevenreviews.com/guide/how-to-convert-drm-protected-music-movie/audio-output-setting.jpg
Click “Settings” button bellow “Convert video to” list for protected video files
http://topsevenreviews.com/guide/how-to-convert-drm-protected-music-movie/video-output-se tting.jpg
Step 5 Start remove DRM and convert your DRM protected music and videos by click on “Start” button.
Glossary
What is DRM?
DRM, which is most commonly found in movies and music files, doesn't mean just basic copy-protection of video, audio and ebooks, but it basically means full protection for digital content, ranging from delivery to end user's ways to use the content. We can remove the Drm from video and audio files legally by quick recording
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
What?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
stop shilling!!!
When corporate America agrees to not use our inventions without consent, American inventors and small entities will agree to stop suing them.
stop shilling!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: stop shilling!!!
I guess, according to you, disagreeing with you is "shilling."
Since you're wrong, I'd ask you to apologize and take back your false assertion. Somehow I don't think you will.
When corporate America agrees to not use our inventions without consent, American inventors and small entities will agree to stop suing them.
Have you really missed the point of what I am saying. This is not about corporate america vs. inventors. It's about the patent system as a whole -- which both sides abuse to no end. It's not about small entities vs. large ones. As we've pointed out the big players abuse the patent system just as much as the small ones.
The issue isn't appropriation of ideas, but how the patent system is limiting our economy.
Rather than calling me a shill over and over again, could you at least address the points raised? Or is that too difficult?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: stop shilling!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: stop shilling!!!
I will note, yet again, that you have yet to answer the questions I asked you. I'm beginning to wonder why that is.
From the post that you ignored, I'll ask again:
Please tell us why we should believe someone as biased as you, having a stake in making sure the system remains as it is? Wouldn't you RATHER trust an impartial body who can study the issue through non-biased eyes?
And, can you let us know what economics training you have, since you seem to think that experience matters -- I'm curious as to what yours is in the point that matters: economics (not inventing).
to separate the "corporate america vs. inventors" piece from the general issues regarding the patent office is like removing the heart from the body.
Not at all. The patent system is designed to do one thing and one thing only: promote the progress of science and the useful arts.
It says nothing at all about big companies or inventors.
Even though the patent system has not stopped this, it at least attempts to and gives some recourse to the inventors. This does not limit the economy...and it does not limit innovation.
Actually there's a rather large stack of evidence suggesting exactly the opposite. Of course, that evidence looks at the actual economics of the matter -- which again, you seem to deem irrelevant.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
F grade for Mikey
"Not at all. The patent system is designed to do one thing and one thing only: promote the progress of science and the useful arts."
"Of course, that evidence looks at the actual economics of the matter -- which again, you seem to deem irrelevant."
In Mikey's world "progress of science and the useful arts" equates the ability of a company to flood the market with cheap China-made ipods or junk like that
To any reasonable person "progress of science and the useful arts" means acquiring and preserving new knowlewdge which can be used by other people down the road - it has nothing to do with economy
Mikey gets an F grade
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: stop shilling!!!
"I will note, yet again, that you have yet to answer the questions I asked you. I'm beginning to wonder why that is.
From the post that you ignored, I'll ask again:
Please tell us why we should believe someone as biased as you, having a stake in making sure the system remains as it is? Wouldn't you RATHER trust an impartial body who can study the issue through non-biased eyes?"
Maybe better put, naive and inexperienced eyes.
"And, can you let us know what economics training you have, since you seem to think that experience matters -- I'm curious as to what yours is in the point that matters: economics (not inventing)."
Career entreprenuer, founded 14 companies, one company "voted Best New Company at Internet World in 2000). Oh yeah...and I took a lot of econ in college. Is that what is important to you?
"to separate the "corporate america vs. inventors" piece from the general issues regarding the patent office is like removing the heart from the body."
"Not at all. The patent system is designed to do one thing and one thing only: promote the progress of science and the useful arts."
"It says nothing at all about big companies or inventors. But in the real world they have become the players and adversaries."
Even though the patent system has not stopped this, it at least attempts to and gives some recourse to the inventors. This does not limit the economy...and it does not limit innovation.
"Actually there's a rather large stack of evidence suggesting exactly the opposite. Of course, that evidence looks at the actual economics of the matter -- which again, you seem to deem irrelevant."
I love economics...but it didn't help the financial industry avoid its current crisis. The "dark science" as it has been called is just another platform for speculation, prognostication, and endless expert hindsight. I actually love it though...but sorry, I do not have a PHD in economics which seems to be your argument against anyone with practical experience and knowledge.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: stop shilling!!!
So anyone who ISN'T profiting from a bad system is inexperienced? That's the most corrupt concept I've ever heard.
Career entreprenuer, founded 14 companies
14 Companies? Career entrepreneur often sounds similar to "serial failure" to me. A successful entrepreneur turns a startup into a big company.
one company "voted Best New Company at Internet World in 2000).
There are so many things in that sentence that don't seem worth bragging over. Internet World was a joke of a show. 2000 was the height of the bubble. And getting an award as best new company combining both of those things isn't exactly something to be proud about.
But in the real world they have become the players and adversaries.
This is what some would like you to believe, but it's not true at all. Both small and big companies abuse the system. Focusing on one or the other will not fix the system, it will just make the whole thing worse.
Even though the patent system has not stopped this, it at least attempts to and gives some recourse to the inventors. This does not limit the economy...and it does not limit innovation.
The evidence (stacks and stacks of it) suggest otherwise. I can't see how you can make that claim credibly. Read Lerner & Jaffe, Bessen & Meurer or Levine & Boldrin for rather detailed evidence as to how it has very much limited the economy and innovation.
I love economics...but it didn't help the financial industry avoid its current crisis.
Um. That had nothing to do with economics.
The "dark science" as it has been called is just another platform for speculation, prognostication, and endless expert hindsight.
Proving you have no clue what economics is.
The above statement basically proves that you have no credibility on the subject we are discussing. It would be like me saying "patents are bad because anyone can get a patent on anything." It's a gross generalization that shows you don't know what you're talking about.
I do not have a PHD in economics which seems to be your argument against anyone with practical experience and knowledge.
No, that was not my point at all. I don't think you need a PhD in economics at all. My POINT was to show you how silly it is for you to claim that only those who are profiting from a broken system can discuss it. My POINT is that it's EQUALLY silly to demand someone have a PhD in economics.
Yet, for some reason you seem to think that one of those is okay and one is silly.
It's amazing how a biased person rationalizes the system that gives them an advantage.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: stop shilling!!!
Mike...you are amazing. I actually let you lure me into a pissing contest where the next logical thing I would do is show you my bank account as proof that I am not a "serial failure", which would be sophomoric and boorish.
Remember, you are the one who makes such black and white statements regarding other folks opinions and thinking. The idea that an inventor who has experience with the patent process is "biased" and "must know nothing about economics" is pure hogwash and borders on yellow journalism. Please try to avoid becoming the Bill O'Reilly of technical journalism, because I think you are much smarter than that. I know that it is somehow good for readership that you take these outlandish view points and castigate anyone who disagrees, (I am still a fan) but I would argue it is not necessary for your continued success.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: stop shilling!!!
I didn't say they must know nothing about economics. Again, you seem to be missing my point. YOU were the one who claimed that only those who had experience with the patent system could credibly criticize it. My point was to show you how bogus that statement was... and yet, you still seem to be missing the point.
It's not yellow journalism. I'm not saying that we shouldn't listen to those who have experience with the patent system or only listen to those with experience in economics. I'm making the point that you were wrong to claim that only those with experience in the patent system can criticize it. That you still don't seem to get this point is odd.
You were the one who pulled out the credibility card, and I simply pointed out why that was silly.
I know that it is somehow good for readership that you take these outlandish view points and castigate anyone who disagrees
Hmm? I'd actually argue that would be bad for readership, as it would upset people. I'm not trying to castigate anyone. I'm trying to make sure that these things are properly thought through. But if someone comes in high and mighty claiming that those who don't have a patent can't credibly critique the patent system, I'm going to make a point of why that's silly.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Good For Web Innovation!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
http://www.aidownloading.com/images/guide/dvd-software-toolkit.jpg
Learn More
User Guide
Download Now 24.9MB
Buy Now $49
Key Functions
Rip DVD to all popular video formats and devices
This DVD rip software could rip all kinds of DVD movies to MP4, H.264, AVI, MP3, WMV, WMA, flv, MKV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, 3GP, 3GPP, VOB, DivX, Mov, RM, RMVB, M4A, AAC, WAV, etc, and is compatible with iPhone, iPod, PSP, Apple TV, etc.
Convert between all popular videos
It��s easy to convert almost videos to iPod, iPhone, PSP, Apple TV by using the Video Conversion software.
Transfer files from PC to iPod, iPod to PC, iPod to iPod
Backup iPod to PC, import files or folder from PC to iPod, and even between different iPods with the help of iPod Transfer.
Make any time length by iPhone Ringtone Maker
Assist you to make ringtone for your iPhone, iPhone (3G) from your own video and audio sources in any time length by specifying the start time and end time or dragging the slide bar, you even can manage your iPhone ringtone.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]