Re: [Free-sklyarov-uk] Re: [DMCA_Discuss] Re: [Patents] IT World Feature: Patently ridiculous: What's Europe to do?

[Gregory Aharonian <srctran@world.std.com>]

>If company A does all the marketing preparations, it also gains
<experience and first mover advantages.  There are usually enough to
>offset any initial monies [invested], ....

Hello???  I am not going to try first mover advantage in any marketplace
that has deep-pocket companies like Microsoft.  Their monies can totally
overwhelm any first mover advantage.  So for commercializing publicly
funded R&D (as well as commercializing privately funded R&D), any 
rational business person is going to want things like exclusive licenses
and/or patents before investing monies.  If you don't appreciate this,
try running your own business in such matters, where you have payrolls
to pay, marketing and advertising costs to cover from profits, etc.,
all factors usually ignored in the various academic economic models
you cite.

If you don't believe me, go talk to technology transfer managers at
US universities and government laboratories.  They will laugh in your
face if you ask them if they could do their jobs without being able
to offer exclusive licenses and rely on patent protection.

That you are not convinced by these arguments says to me that you should
go run your own business and deal with these strategic dilemmas before
you start condemning them.  I won't even mention dealing with taxes and
fickle investors.

Greg Aharonian