Re: [microsound] ideal copyright

[Rob <rob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> > 5 years doesn't do much good for ventures that are extremely capital
> > intensive, such as drug development.
> >    
>
> isn't that a patent?
>
>  
OK some distinctions.

A Patent is the exclusive rights to the functionality of an idea, they 
last for a limited period, but during that time it's very strong.  The 
George Foreman Grill is patented, actualy the Teflon Clamshell Grill is 
the patented and the owner licensed several spinoffs to Mr. Foreman and 
other manufacturers.

A copyright controls the particular expression of an idea.  You can't 
copyright the idea of making a novel and publishing it, but you can 
copyright you particular novel.

Software patents are a big bugaboo because if you can control the 
functionality of a program, it's going to stop development in its 
tracks.  If Apple had a patent on the functioning of a graphical 
computer interface (with menus, etc.)  Bill Gates could never have 
created windows in it's current form, he would have to change it enough 
to be a new idea, which may seem good, but after a few tries a company 
could patent all the practical ways of doing something, although new 
ideas like the waffle iron for steak can always pop-up, it's just harder 
to perfect the ideas people are actually using.

Rob

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