[samg_]

1. Ad hominem 2. Begging the question 3. Unsubstantiated generalization 4. Mis-quote 5. Misunderstanding the original comment

I don't necessarily agree with Myhrvold, but I don't think this guy is giving him enough credit.

The problem Myhrvold gives is real: large companies with lots of resources can, if they choose to, steal your idea and try to compete. This problem comes up on HN periodically, and I think the canon is to simply have the better product. I would call this playing field more level than the one where entrepreneurial teams can't compete at all.

[athst]

Are you just listing a bunch of random logical fallacies? Every one of his points is real, even though they have a (deservedly) aggressive tone.

The "canon is to simple have the better product?" What happens when you're a small developer and a company like Microsoft or Lodsys or Intellectual Ventures holds some ancient patent to an obvious feature you just happened to include in your product? Having the best product in the world isn't going to help you very much.

[shareme]

the problem is the word steal..

Company A has $1 billion in cash and some high level exeprts in implementing CMS

Company B has $1 million in cash..

..that is not stealing ..that is just one is better prepared than the other to execute the idea..

Myhrvold would have better argument if he stuck to the patent context..ie the public good part in long term later is balanced by in the short-term with the invent0or getting some cash via patent royalties

The situation I described above is right from MS's past playbook..