Overuse of technology patents could make things stupid[er]
Okay, now this worries me. It isn’t quite the same issue as micropayments, but the end result could be the same (or worse, if both were implemented and the cost passed on to the web surfer.)
I would really loathe to go surfing on some web site that used a patented technology, only to be told that I’d have to pay to read their site — not because they were charging for their content, but because they were using patented technology. G-r-e-a-t, just positively great.
Basically, what this says is that creators of new Web technologies would be able to patent their creations and then charge royalties for use of said technologies. That could mean that a complete newbie who only wants to post their family photos on the web to let family and friends share the memories could be setting the visitors up for a shock — depending on how the prices would be passed on and how much patented tech is used, a potentially very rude shock. It could suddenly become very important to know what runs your web site.
Posted by Laughing Muse • 816 views • Share this link • Newer • Older
