As discussed on Tech News Today #377, the European Commission has decided to open an investigation into the patent wars between Apple and Samsung. According to EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia, “Apple and Samsung is only one case where IP rights can be used as an instrument to restrict competition.”
Since patents are aimed at limiting “unbridled competition” of a free market, this should come as no surprise. As I have discussed elsewhere, the state is schizophrenic. It grants monopolies aimed at limiting competition (patents and copyright), and then penalizes companies for using (“abusing”) them, in contravention of state antitrust law–so that there is a “tension” between these state laws. Here’s an idea: get rid of both antitrust and patent law.
[c4sif]
{ 0 comments }
