Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

Any engineer who has ever filed a software patent soon realizes that the entire patent system in America (at least with respect to software) is a scam. It seems to be designed to enrich lawyers and tax engineers.

It's almost like all the kids in school who failed out of CS 101 went to law school and cooked up a scheme to tax their classmates who actually stuck it out and built something.

Why the hell do we have a system that gives a 20 year monopoly to assholes for shit they cook up on a cocktail napkin over lunch with their lawyer? This is how we used to brainstorm stuff to patent. It's utter bullshit. I refuse to participate in creating more bullshit patents.




I've filed multiple (hardware) patents in previous companies. Which part, exactly, is a scam?

I think the only reasonable criticisms of the patent system is a lack of intelligent lawyers in the areas of discipline that often fail finding similar claims in other filings, and that patents only benefit large companies, not DIY garage makers like the rest of the world thinks.

I also think your shitting on lawyers is typical of people that don't really understand legal frameworks. Would you find it reasonable if I said: "software engineers are such a joke, everything they do is so over complicated just so they can get rich like those SanFran dudebros, and for what, so that I can shit in a smart toilet with a web browser and AI? How stupid." ... Oh, shit. Wait a second... :)


I happen to have practiced patent law at a large firm for 2 years with clients like Google, Apple, and Facebook.


Yes yes, you TOTALLY sound like you understand law.


The poster did specify _software_ patents.


Most of which are invalid due to Alice any way. The Supreme Court agrees with him.


At least it's just 20 years unlike copyright's functionally infinite state-granted monopoly on data...




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: