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Re: [microsound] ideal copyright




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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