Why is an about-face over the course of at least 10 years amusing (I presume in a sarcastic way)?
In 10 years, even crowds of people learn about the medium-term implications of legal doctrines. 10 years ago the implications of software or business method patents weren't all that obvious. Only a few radicals were warning against them - someone sold everybody else on an emotional basis.
"Intellectual Property" in haste, repent at leisure, as Ben Franklin might have written, if he had understood the implications 200+ years ago.
I think that's a bit of historical revisionism right there. Nobody sold Silicon Valley 1.0 on IP protection "on an emotional basis." The companies were just tired of doing free R&D for the Chinese.
In 10 years, even crowds of people learn about the medium-term implications of legal doctrines. 10 years ago the implications of software or business method patents weren't all that obvious. Only a few radicals were warning against them - someone sold everybody else on an emotional basis.
"Intellectual Property" in haste, repent at leisure, as Ben Franklin might have written, if he had understood the implications 200+ years ago.