On: iA makes patent threats

[rbanffy]

> I see no reason to support any small developers who file for patents.

So, what if Apple, or Google, or Microsoft, or Oracle decide they like feature F and implement it in one of their applications that compete with whatever the small patent holder does?

[thomholwerda → rbanffy]

Seeing a fervent Apple supporter cry foul over iA even though Apple does the exact same thing all the time is... Beyond belief.

[Touche → thomholwerda]

In this case the thing iA tried to copyright was one of Apple's own APIs.

[jrnkntl → Touche]

NSLinguisticTagger that is, for anyone wondering.

https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/cocoa/...

[rbanffy → Touche]

If it's a bad patent (as is so common with software patents) we have a different problem. One that will, eventually, solve itself in a most spectacular way.

[jorde → rbanffy]

It doesn't really matter if a small player holds a patent as they won't have enough resources to start fighting against big guys. Patents don't protect products, good products and brands do.

[rbanffy → jorde]

The small actor can sell the eventual profits from the patent to someone with the resources to fight.