[mtgx]

That's why it's so good the vast majority of web technologies are open/open source. I can't imagine an Internet where most of the technologies would be proprietary. It's for the same reason why I'm so up in arms against proprietary video codecs, and why I hope we'll move to an open source one sometimes soon.

[mpyne]

Daala just came out (hopefully DarkShikari will evaluate and speak up on it). What would be even better is to at least take RMS's suggestion regarding how to handle existing software patents while we wait for the legal system to finally get rid of them.

[hmahncke]

That may be a good thing, but open source doesn't mean non-patent infringing.

[muyuu]

It often does. When an OSS establishes a new system/standard, prior art invalidates any future patent on it.

[mpyne]

If one is careful you can even take steps to actively invalidate prior art. You don't need to just make a new standard either, we've already seen people get away with patently new ways to do the same old thing.

Look up Open Invention Network when you get a chance. The idea is to simply publish the general techniques you use to solve a given problem in a fashion that's easy to search, as a defense against people later trying to patent the same idea.

[hmahncke]

Yes, for sure. However, it may infringe on existing patents, and it's often quite difficult to determine that in advance. But I agree, among OSS's many virtues are that it establishes what's known and prevents future patents on those techniques.

[genwin]

Most possible system/standards are already covered by multiple patents. "A system for electronic transfer of information", for example. I made that up, but there are many super broad patents like that.