Software Patents and Dave’s Big Idea
As I tell people (far more often than they’d like), I feel patents are like unions – really great if you’re part of one, not so great if you aren’t.
In the past I’ve made my acquaintance with software patents – a half decade ago, I wanted to sell an MP3 player, but gave up when I talked to Thompson Multimedia about licensing (the deal breaker was when their lawyer cheerfully told me I could get out of the contract at any time – simply go bankrupt).
But I admit that, like so many others, I wouldn’t mind owning a patent or two – especially for THE NEXT BIG THING. And occasionally my caffeine-besotted brain has come up with an idea I liked.
A few years ago, I had the spam problem licked. Unfortunately, someone beat me to it, and so the idea was dropped.
Last year, I came up with the ultimate mouse replacement, but since I work in software, not hardware, I’ve mothballed it until a convenient time. And if that sounds frivolous or flighty, just start counting up the cost of patenting, filing, shopping the idea around (or doing it yourself), contesting patent infringement, etc. You’ll soon realize that big companies can file thousands of patents – but the little guys can’t.
Yesterday, however, was the Big Idea for 2004 – just in time. Briefly, I figured out a new way to advertise – like banner exchanges, but with enough differences I’m pretty sure it’s patentable. And since it’s software, I can get it up and running as soon as the ink dries. I’m hoping that, with banner exchanges as popular as they are, a patent on something like this could prove profitable…
So, I guess right now I DO love software patents. And then this column does double duty – discussing patents, and asserting my patent idea creation date.
And of course, if anyone reading this has deep pockets, email me – once I’m filed, I could be in touch.
