quote:

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Ancient inventions are part of mankind's knowledge base and should not be patentable. But because attempts to steal are under way, thanks to overpatenting allowed in the United States, the Brazilian government must get involved.

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"Overpatenting". I like that.

[ February 22, 2002: Message edited by: rasmus_raven ]

I never thought I'd say that one !

But she's got a damn good point, why should the rich folks have the only way of protecting what they say is theirs. And that goes back to :

quote:

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For years, British Telecom says it tolerated the royalty-free use of a technology it patented in 1989, but recently it had a change of heart and decided it was time to collect.

Last week its lawyers sent out letters to the top Internet service providers in the United States, alerting them they'd best begin discussions for licensing the technology, referred to in BT's patent as "an information handling system in which information is derived from a computer at a remote point and transmitted via the public telephone network to terminal apparatus."

Translated from patent speak, BT explained, that means "hyperlink."

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I really REALLY REALLY REALLY hate it when corporations try to manipulate the legal system and the patent system to try and seek profits when they're so in-fucking-COMPETENT that they couldn't find a profit with a goddamn map, compass and flashlight.

Come closer and ask me that.

*retracts claws*

For example, the recipe for "cheeseburger" would bring in a hefty sum if patented.

And what about the intellectual property in
"Tuna casserole".

Similarly, my dear mom's lemon meringue pie....