Re: [Patents] Washington Times: Internet Patents Divide Industry

[Hartmut Pilch <phm@a2e.de>]

> You own the patent not the idea. The problem is that immaterial property
> carry the idea that you own "the idea", not "an exclusive right on the
> idea".

You own the right to exclude others from something, e.g. from the use of
an idea or the use of a piece of land.

The question whether I own the land or the idea itself is too vague to me.
It reminds me of McCarthy saying that she is not making software as such
patentable.