If you independently invent a chair, go ahead and use it. However, you cannot bring it to market. Is this fair? As much as most things, yes. For example, we profit from the unequal distribution of brains, athletic ability, looks, and other marketable commodities. A property claim, to be honored, has to be recognized, and, in that regard, it is a matter of "first past the post". Now, in fact I agree that patents should be limited, but for clear policy reasons that weaken the claim to perpetuity.
I was using sneaking into the theater as an analogy, about how one could steal without impairing the property itself.
The quote is not bad.
Gotta go. Later. |
