From: GBurch1@aol.com
Date: Fri Dec 24 1999 - 08:29:25 MST
In a message dated 12/23/99 10:33:43 AM Central Standard Time,
rhanson@gmu.edu writes:
> Since I know of no simple enforceable rule that correlates well with
> when patents help, and since I see large errors now and fear larger
> errors with new technologies, I guess I favor eliminating patents.
> But I'm far from sure of that position.
This sums up well my ambivalence with regard to the ultimate policy questions
raised by patent law. While I'm a strong libertarian in terms of my
underlying political philosophy, the question of the overall efficacy of
patents in the current social, political and economic situation is an
empirical one; but I fear that not nearly enough data exists to really
analyze the question rigorously.
In the meantime, I see the "arms race" aspect of the current patent law
environment clearly: The pressure on technological visionaries to apply for
and use patent protection can be overwhelming.
Greg Burch <GBurch1@aol.com>----<gburch@lockeliddell.com>
Attorney ::: Vice President, Extropy Institute ::: Wilderness Guide
http://users.aol.com/gburch1 -or- http://members.aol.com/gburch1
"We never stop investigating. We are never satisfied that we know
enough to get by. Every question we answer leads on to another
question. This has become the greatest survival trick of our species."
-- Desmond Morris
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