Alternate headline: “EA did a good thing in latest attempt to get off naughty list”

    • echo64@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      this is opening up patents, so yes, in a world like ours having something be patented, but royalty free and anyone can use is much better than the alternative. which is either one company owning it and licencing it. or a patent troll getting it and making it even worse.

      the sarcasm in this case, is not warranted. this is a good thing.

        • fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          Then a patent troll steals it and makes things worse for everyone.

          Patenting something then immediately opening it up is by far the best option.

          • Poayjay@lemmy.world
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            11 months ago

            That’s literally not a thing. Once something is publicly disclosed it can’t be patented (unless it is by the discloser during the one year grace period). You can’t take someone else’s invention and patent it. If someone does you can invalidate their patent without even a lawyer. If you want something you invent to be free for everyone the best thing you can do is get it out into the world and not patent it.

            • fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.world
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              11 months ago

              You’re not supposed to. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.

              Nobody wants to spend the court costs to get a patent troll stripped of their bad patent. And for a patent troll you’re going to need a lawyer, they’re going to fight tooth and nail to keep it since that’s their source of income.

              • Poayjay@lemmy.world
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                11 months ago

                Once again, this is not true. They do what is called a prior art search as part of issuing a patent. They look worldwide for anything that could be considered your invention before your filing date before issuing a patent. Even after a patent is issued, if prior art is presented to the patent office they can rescind the patent. It’s a form and like $100. You don’t need a lawyer to bring prior art to the patent office’s attention. The legal battle will be between the patent office and the patent troll if they are trying to contest the prior art.

            • Perroboc@lemmy.world
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              11 months ago

              Oh boy are you wrong. Check out the patents to polio vaccines, or Volvos three point seatbelt.

        • GorgeousDumpsterFire@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          …leaving the idea unclaimed for someone else to patent instead? Strange take.

          The patent system is far from perfect, but patents themselves are necessary. EA had an idea, they had the right to patent it. They had the right to keep the patent closed, instead they opted to open it.

    • Hydroel@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Doesn’t “opening up patents” means that anyone can use the ideas behind the patent without charge? Which means that it’s actually not locked anymore, so yes it does help?

  • Send_me_nude_girls@feddit.de
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    11 months ago

    Maybe they do it because of an increasing risk of getting challenged in court and causing a patent law re-evaluation, which would hurt them for other patents. I don’t think EA does something because of good will.