[AT] OT modern computer controlls

[David Bruce]

I can see both sides of the issue. There is concern in the technology 
press about software patents (especially "patent trolls" - totally 
different issue). I understand the wish to protect intellectual property 
but on the other hand there is a need to balance the rights of patent 
holders and those that buy the products. Being such a difficult issue is 
why it has make to SCOTUS.

I have not seen issues with seed patent regarding heirloom seed but I 
don't doubt there have been some.

David

NW NC


On 3/23/2017 1:25 PM, charlie hill wrote:
> Don, I've been told that a handful of the big Ag companies
> have gotten permission from the government to remove samples of seeds from
> the
> Library of Congress and other government repositories.  They have grown the
> seed
> and applied for patents on those varieties which are in actuality heirloom
> varieties
> that you can no longer legally plant without buying them from big AG.
> Maybe, if Grant has time to read this, he will know and comment.
>
> Charlie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don
> Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 4:03 PM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: Re: [AT] OT modern computer controlls
>
> On 3/22/2017 2:35 PM, Mike M wrote:
>> Copyright?? Wow that's a stretch. So if your equipment goes down, you
>> are at the mercy of the dealership as to when and how it gets fixed? I
>> see a boom in used machinery.
> There is also a court case argued before the Supreme Court today where
> patent holders can restrict your use of a product even after you have
> paid for it.
>
> https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/03/patents-are-big-part-why-we-cant-own-nice-things-supreme-court-should-fix
>