Obtaining overly broad patents does not automatically mean they're evil, though it's not a very encouraging sign. I do think it's absurd that they would try to claim that there's some difference between using an overly broad patent to extract licensing fees from people not actually using their software and using an overly broad patent to quash competition, though. But I really shouldn't prejudge them, because they haven't done so...yet.
I do think that while working the justice angle -- lobbying for IP law reform -- isn't futile, but am more optimistic about what just us can do -- not buying software from companies that engage in unethical business practices, no matter how sweet their product is, and contributing to open source alternatives instead. I think every RFP should have something in it about the vendor not being evil, if only because vendors who make their money by providing actual value rather than collecting protection money are more likely to be around in the long run.
>>> Nancy Cochran <nancy.cochran_at_EARTHLINK.NET> 1/31/2007 1:22 PM >>>
Casey Durfee said:
>Considering Amazon, Google (Froogle), CNet, Ebay and just about every other major commerce
>site uses facets these days and the idea is as old as Ranganathan, in my mind it's pretty clearly not
>about protecting any sort of trade secret or technological breakthrough but being able to quash
>competition. Your patents don't have to be enforceable to be used as a tool against competitors.
>I'd like to see them try and go after the Apache Foundation, though...
>
>Any library interested in purchasing Endeca's product should give some serious thought as to
>whether that company's business model is compatible with the values that libraries and librarians
>hold dear. To quote one of the pre-eminent philosophers of our time, "There's no justice; there's
>just us".
>
>
>--Casey
At some level, I share the anger that you express. But from what you write, I still haven't learned anything about where to direct that anger.
We all try to do constructive work. What do you think reasonable peopl should do about patents that are not enforceable?
Nancy Cochran
nancy.cochran_at_earthlink.net
Received on Thu Feb 01 2007 - 12:27:38 EST