[Patents] historically abolished patent systems

[critto@poczta.wp.pl (Krzysztof Sobolewski)]

From:                   Erik Josefsson <poiqwe@excite.com>
To:                     patents@liberte.aful.org
Subject:                [Patents] historically abolished patent systems
Date sent:              Fri, 13 Apr 2001 15:09:39 -0700 (PDT)

> Hi,
> 
> I came across the following facts:
> Switzerland and the Netherlands abolished their patent systems
> in, respectively, 1850-1907 and 1869-1912.
> My source doesn't tell why.
> 
> Does anybody know?

I think that it was a part of the outrage against the patents in 
Europe.

I know about English patent system. Until the Statute on 
Monopolies was enacted in 177x (I don't remember exactly), 
almost everything was patentable; some things may look similiarly 
to the patent slavery that is legal now in USA: for example, 
business patents. There were trade patents in England, which, 
once granted, provided the EXCLUSIVE right to buy or sell 
something, mostly the groceries (eg. paprika, pepper, and so on).

There was a great outrage of the society against such patents. 
Finally, patent system has been severely LIMITED -- to the 
inventions ONLY. Trade patents were *especially* prohibited there.

As someone said "History likes to repeat itself..."

   Yours in Liberty,
         Christopher "Critto" Sobolewski


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