Stanford and patents. [URL]

[csvanefalk]

While I understand that patents could (and probably do) contribute to driving innovation in these fields, it is still disgusting that they can be granted in such a way that they effectively make it more expensive to address crucial human needs.

Further, I don't really see what this has to do with F@H, apart from the fact that some researchers from Stanford are involved. They do not seem to be in any way related to either F@H or the Pande group, and it simply would not be fair to assume (which this post implicitly does) that the Pande group would use data from F@H to win patents for their own profit.

[Napoleon]

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/02/04/15/ ... s-swinging tells you all you need to know about patenting schtuff...

[P5-133XL]

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/02/04/15/ ... s-swinging tells you all you need to know about patenting schtuff...

Really, Is that all you need to know? It is only patent pending NOT an actual granted patent. All that means is that someone has applied for a patent. Anyone can apply for anything and until granted or denied it is has patent pending status...

[Napoleon]

Oh, the URL was ...patent-granted..., I didn't investigate any further than that. I've been under the impression that it is a true classic, actually a granted patent somewhere in the world, although probably not in the US. Anyhow, no, it really isn't all you should know or worry about patents, just my misguided attempt at humour.

Anyway, the amazing thing is how far that application actually got. Common sense suggests that such thing should've been laughed off and dismissed right away. I don't have much experience about patents, but I do have my name on one such document. That was a long time ago, but patenting business seemed weird and mysterious to me even then.

Oh well, at least it had corporate backing and I was able to squeeze a tiny (NOT tidy) sum of money out of that experience. Even a granted patent is just for bragging rights unless you can prove an infringement and sue.