You need to read up on the lawsuit between Apple and Kodak to understand why.
You need to explain why if Google wins the bid it has to pay nothing to Apple/Microsoft/etc
You need to read up on the lawsuit between Apple and Kodak to understand why.
Seems like Goog trying to buddy up with its Android OEMs could have antitrust implications. Google needs a cudgel to use against Apple, they will pay dearly for these. We all know, however, that no one's pockets are deeper than Apple's.
Because this defeats the purpose of Apple wanting to turn Google back into a search & email provider.
Every time I see these threads about patent wars I think to myself how life could be different if patent wars existed years ago. For example, right now every can of cola/energy drinks is basically the same. The mechanism to open the can is identical. What if years ago there was a patent on a "aluminum can opening device"? We may have a half dozen different ways to open a can?
What about patenting a door as a "means to get out of a room that has 4 walls and no opening"?
How about patenting an automobile as having exactly 4 wheels? Or patenting a round steering wheel? How about the order in which the pedals are on the floor (clutch, brake, gas)? Could we be driving around in cars where the brake and gas are on different sides because having them in the same order would have infringed on a patent?
Yes, crazy stuff like this goes through my head, but at the end of the day I still believe the consumer is the one that potentially loses.
Nothing you mentioned has a patent because none of them are patentable. Nothing like that is patented these days either. However, you can patent specific methods and processes for doing something. And yes there is a patent dating back to the late 1800's for steering wheels because it states a particular method for using a steering wheel to do something in a unique way... in that case it was related to a new thing at the time called automobiles.
This is the same thing Apple and Microsoft do with their OS patents and Google does with their search patents.
There are also things called trademarks which prevent others from KIRFing and profiting off of the look and feel of your designs. That's a whole different area than patents though.
Kodak is going to make some serious dough.
I thought one of the complaints was copying Apples "slide to unlock"? Wouldn't that be similar to the tab on the top of a aluminum can to open it?
Would love for apple to keep the printing industry running "rebranded" kodaks entry level printers are actually quite nice and the ink is cheap.
Interesting. I cannot imagine Kodak having many patents that are relevant in this digital age. Maybe photo printing methods and stuff like that? Weird, but interesting.
Spoken like a true socialist. This week folks from all over the world are going to compete in sports for discs of gold, silver and bronze, and the associated "win" and bragging rights. There will be losers. They will have enjoyed the sportsmanship, and comraderie, but not the discs or the media attention or the many commercial benefits.Here's an idea: why don't all eight of the firms team up, thereby getting use of the patents for 1/8th the price, blocking out patent trolls (who probably couldn't afford them anyway, to be fair) and save themselves millions down the line by not having to constantly sue each other.
None of the eight have developed the technologies on offer, so I think they're probably more concerned with ongoing use of the patents than protecting them and having exclusive use.
Interesting. I cannot imagine Kodak having many patents that are relevant in this digital age. Maybe photo printing methods and stuff like that? Weird, but interesting.
Seems like Goog trying to buddy up with its Android OEMs could have antitrust implications. Google needs a cudgel to use against Apple, they will pay dearly for these. We all know, however, that no one's pockets are deeper than Apple's.
Interesting. I cannot imagine Kodak having many patents that are relevant in this digital age. Maybe photo printing methods and stuff like that? Weird, but interesting.
How about patenting an automobile as having exactly 4 wheels?
Spoken like a true socialist. This week folks from all over the world are going to compete in sports for discs of gold, silver and bronze, and the associated "win" and bragging rights. There will be losers. They will have enjoyed the sportsmanship, and comraderie, but not the discs or the media attention or the many commercial benefits.
The reason there is bidding is to maximize profits to the patent owner, Kodak. The reason why bidding is done by the buyers rather than collusion as you suggest has nothing to do with whether collusion is legal. One side wins and the other loses. Patents are weapons of war. Tech companies are at war.
That's why not every device has every capability. There are factions and feifdoms. Some more dominant in some market niches and some more dominant in others.
So calm down.
Rocketman
Every time I see these threads about patent wars I think to myself how life could be different if patent wars existed years ago.
No?find your way down off your high horse why not think about opening your door and you know... getting out more..?
Dude, go outside, the graphics are amazing!I'm been outside and it's not all its cracked up to be.
With the Surface and Windows 8 coming out. I'd say it's a 3 way battle. However, I do get what you're saying and why you would think that.
Every time I see these threads about patent wars I think to myself how life could be different if patent wars existed years ago. For example, right now every can of cola/energy drinks is basically the same. The mechanism to open the can is identical. What if years ago there was a patent on a "aluminum can opening device"? We may have a half dozen different ways to open a can?
What about patenting a door as a "means to get out of a room that has 4 walls and no opening"?
How about patenting an automobile as having exactly 4 wheels? Or patenting a round steering wheel? How about the order in which the pedals are on the floor (clutch, brake, gas)? Could we be driving around in cars where the brake and gas are on different sides because having them in the same order would have infringed on a patent?
Yes, crazy stuff like this goes through my head, but at the end of the day I still believe the consumer is the one that potentially loses.
I thought one of the complaints was copying Apples "slide to unlock"? Wouldn't that be similar to the tab on the top of a aluminum can to open it?