"Defensive" patents still have chilling effect

Article:		Did Amazon Listen?
Subject:		"Defensive" patents still have chilling effect
Date:		2003-12-28 18:55:40
From:		sjs

While I cannot blame business leaders for protecting their businesses, I would still like people to know that "defensive" patents are still a force against innovation. As a developer, I cannot in good conscience advise my employer that Mr Bezos has "seen the light." We have to assume the risk that he will use the patents offensively. The only solution is a hard and fast delineation of what patents apply to. And I am coming to think that the smaller that sphere, the better.