According to videogame patent lawyer Kirk Sigmon, the USPTO granting Nintendo these latest patents isn’t just a moment of questionable legal theory. It’s an indictment of American patent law.

“Broadly, I don’t disagree with the many online complaints about these Nintendo patents,” said Sigmon, whose opinions do not represent those of his firm and clients. “They have been an embarrassing failure of the US patent system.”

  • zrst@lemmy.cif.su
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    10
    arrow-down
    12
    ·
    edit-2
    3 hours ago

    It’s imaginary property. It’s not real and only exists in our heads. Saying someone stole your “intellectual property” is akin to saying they “stole your idea.”

    It is about the money, as well. Nobody should be able to own an idea.

    Bruce Springsteen will just have to grow up and get over it.

      • Regrettable_incident@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        7
        ·
        edit-2
        2 hours ago

        No art, no poetry, no video games. . .

        IMO creators should have better protections - the current laws don’t seem to stop AI gobbling up their work. But at the same time this Nintendo thing is obviously bullshit. I’m surprised the court * allowed it. Probably a decision made by a very old Christian man who doesn’t understand what games are and can’t use a smartphone.

        * Oops decision was made by patent office who really should know better

        • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          5
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          2 hours ago

          Yeah it’s clearly broken. But there is a complete lack of nuance in these “get rid of IP and copyright completely (and if you disagree you’re an idiot)” arguments. They’re just supremely unhelpful.

          • Regrettable_incident@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            3
            ·
            60 minutes ago

            Yep I’m right there with you. Artists of all types should be entitled to the proceeds of their work. Also, if I were creative and something I’d created was plagiarised, I’d be unhappy about that too. Just because a big company abuses a system doesn’t mean it shouldn’t protect individuals.