[jbuzbee]

I recall a story a while back about a satellite that ended up in the wrong orbit after launch. The engineers knew how to correct it using various orbital maneuvers, but alas those maneuvers were patented and it was too expensive to license them. So the decision was made to splash the satellite and let the insurance companies pay out. At least that's my recollection...

Edit : Here's a description of the issue, which is a bit different than my recollection

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC-14#Launch_anomaly

[savanaly]

Surely this is a cases where the Coase theorem could have been of some use. But alas, transaction costs...

[vacri]

I thought that algorithms couldn't be patented?

[spacemanmatt]

Legally, they can't. But if you close your eyes, and pretend they are tangible, you could see it their way.