What is your view on software patents?

This seems to be an issue that divides people in a big way! I’m solidly on the side of respecting Intellectual Property. Many believe don't respect software patents but in my view that is one of the few ways a small player can protect his/her ideas. Imagine if there were no patents on software/patents. Do you think Microsoft would use a good idea developed by a small software company? You better believe it. There is a ton of road kill (small dead companies with good ideas, no patents) left behind many large companies, not just Microsoft.

The knife cuts both ways. Large companies can get patents and they do in a big way. They also profit in a big way from them. Just look at Texas Instruments and the DLP chip now found in many projection systems – they own that market because they own the intellectual property. I think they should own it – they invested a small fortune into that technology. They only other way to protect an idea is trade secret. In other words don’t disclose the idea no matter what. That’s tough to protect especially in the software world.

If you’ve got great ideas and you want to give them away – that’s your decision. The truly great ideas will definitely be used if people find out. However, if you want to make some money to fund other great ideas then I recommend you protect those ideas – they could be worth a small fortune some day.

Lots of topics here I could cover around patents:
- Open Source
- University IP (stuff developed by professors and students)
- Types of Patents
- Patent "terrorists" (I hate those guys)

New plastic can better convert solar energy

This is fantastic if it ever comes to commercialization. Researchers at University of Toronto have invented an infrared-sensitive material that can convert 30% of the sun's power into useable energy. They say this thin film can be painted on. Unfortunately no indication of when this technology can be commercialized? Did they file for patents? Very cool if this could coat your house, car etc. - read more...

Isolation headphones for the iPod

I tested a number headphones and found Etymotic ER6 Isolation Headphones. They are fantastic with big sound. I travel a fair bit and these guys cut all plane noise, babies crying etc. I just love them. They fit in the ear canal and are quite comfortable. Note - you can't use them when working out - they suck for that.

What's up with the name? Etymotic - how do you pronounce that? These guys would be a lot more successful if they just had a name that a human could remember. I’m sure the name means something to the folks on Vulcan. Yet another example of a great product being out marketed by junk from the usual suspects. My advice to Etymotic – change you name – just do it.