🚀 go-pugleaf

>A small company, I see.  Ever worked for a startup, Bill?  Do you know what
>happens when a large company sues a startup for infringement?  I'll tell
>you -- the startup caves in to the large company, regardless of the rightness
>or wrongness of the suit, because it can't afford to contest it.

This is patent nonsense.  The patent in most areas has become such a
strong protection for inventors that individual inventors are now able
to take on large companies.

Most recently, an inventor was awarded a several million dollar
judgement against a large auto company (Chrysler, I think), because
they infringed on a patent for using an electronic timer to control a
windshield wiper.

If you have a good patent and a big company infringes, attorneys will
take the case on a contingency fee basis.  They especially like it when
a very large company infringes because large companies have deep
pockets.

Patents are there to protect inventors.  I think it's a real shame that
some software engineers are willing to throw away their rights and
other inventors rights away.

One inventor, armed with a good patent, can now take on a giant corporation.
I think this is really very healthy.

			Bruce Karsh
			karsh@sgi.com