The US pirate Party

[Technoid]

It was bound to happen

US pirate party

Link to Wired article

[Jammrock]

Woo hoo! Looks like I don't have to be an independent any more!

[Kooldino]

Getting rid of Patents? Dunno if I care for that.

[Jessterw]

Have to agree. Extremism in any regard is a bad thing, and that applies to those who want to completely rid the world of patents. The real problem is the manner in which patents are evaluated and how the system as a whole is implemented. Patent reform is the answer, especially in the area of software, which the US Patent Office was wholly ill-equiped to handle properly.

But that's somewhat OT, and to that I think if they can get their 'sh*t' together, this new party might do some good. That's a big 'if' however.

[Technoid]

Have to agree. Extremism in any regard is a bad thing, and that applies to those who want to completely rid the world of patents. The real problem is the manner in which patents are evaluated and how the system as a whole is implemented. Patent reform is the answer, especially in the area of software, which the US Patent Office was wholly ill-equiped to handle properly.

But that's somewhat OT, and to that I think if they can get their 'sh*t' together, this new party might do some good. That's a big 'if' however.

The swedish pirate party does not want to abolish patents and copyright anymore, just reform them

[Jammrock]

Submarine and sniper patenting must go bye bye, that's for sure. I don't mind if people hoard patent, like IBM does, but at least IBM does something with them besides sit around with a HUGE legal team waiting for someone to infringe on your unused patents so you can sue an innovator for money. I think the first patent reform should be, "If you don't do anything with your patent, you lose it so someone else can put it to use." And that doesn't mean they have to make a product, but at least try to sell it to someone who wants to.

[Jessterw]

That gets to one of the root problems with software patents (and others) - a lot of the groups hoarding the patents aren't even invested in the areas in which the patents pertain. They simply buy up patents and wait for someone to infringe.

So yes, I definitely agree there should be a 'use' clause. To that end there also needs to be something done with companies who hold patents but don't pursue enforcement against infringments until they are placed in a losing position.

[KvHagedorn]

The salient move would be to redefine corporate "personhood." If a patent or copyright must belong to a flesh-and-blood person, and not some legally defined corporate "person" who has rights but no responsibilities, it would solve a lot of things. Now, if you are a corporation, you can commit mass murder and your punishment is an easily afforded fine. Imagine if, as an individual, you would be allowed to callously murder the person blocking your progress in traffic if you would only pay a $100 fine. Corporate personhood has got to go.