Just felt the need to add a few cents worth to the discussion:
First a clarification - there seems to be much confusion, and perhaps
misunderstanding about patents.
You CANNOT patent an IDEA!
You can ONLY patent an embodiment of that idea or concept (a device).
For example: you cannot patent WELDING, but you can patent a welding machine,
device, accessory, etc., as long as it is a significant improvement over the
prior art.
SO, if you discovered WELDING, first you cannot patent the idea, you patent a
machine that welds. And as you can see there are many, many ways to weld,
and you certainly could not have anticipated all of them when you wrote your
claims. (eg: ultrasonic welding; laser welding; explosive welding; solvent
welding; etc.)
Therefore, there are always ways around a patent - some more than others. It
depends on the simplicity or complexity of the process.
No one in their right mind, would attempt to hold claim to have invented
"induction" (except Faraday). And once the principle of induction is
revealed, any who are even modestly skilled in the art, can make many
variations of induction devices.
In my opinion, "free energy" and "gravity control" principles are/will be
much like induction - in that once the principle is grasped, it will not be
long before using it will be routine - and ubiquitous like how pervasively we
use induction.
So much of this teeth gnashing about patents is without merit.
In addition, I agree with Darren Hesford, that the best way to succeed, is to
be first, and do a short lightning attack on the market - a blitzkrieg of
marketing - the big companies with the resources to go after you, and copy,
etc., are big and lethargic - they cannot respond fast enough if you plan
your strategy correctly.
Besides, when you have a free energy device, that is marketable, the big
boys/girls will be arguing that it is not possible - so while they bicker -
you swiftly and quietly sell as much as you can. (even if you carefully
patent such a device, it will be copied, and probably improved upon by others
- so think in terms of quick profit, and move on)
There will be a myriad of other new ideas once the door to this New Physics
is opened - just keep turning 'em out.
On another note: please remember, we do not yet live in a Utopia, where
unselfish giving is at the core of everyone's being!
We live in a free market, capitalist*, dog eat dog, system. Where the core
motivation of the majority is based on fear of lack, or more warped - greedy
and selfish. So anyone posting a public message, with ideas, or details of
innovations, must be aware that unscrupulous members of society might attempt
(will attempt) to exploit them.
*(postulate: given mankind's inherent fear of lack/selfishness/greed -
socialism, communism, cannot work - but while flawed, capitalism harnesses
this inherent greed to give maximum benefit to society as a whole; and the
intellectual property rights are a key pillar of the structure to accomplish
this) (although the benefit to society if all had unselfish motives is
infinitely more than with the present system - it is all we have right now,
unless you can invent a device to change the core motivation of everyone)
It is good to dream of utopia, and attempt to practice unselfish behavior -
but do not be surprised if there are wolves lurking near the henhouse!
I personally do not see a dilemma - as I see it there are literally hundreds
or thousands of person-years worth of ideas to explore along these lines -
and I am confident that a large percentage of these "new physics" ideas will
have practical application.
So what if a few of the first ones get ripped off? The type that steal
usually do not have the real wealth - the ability to innovate - you DO - so
move on to the next one.
And indeed remember: "cast not your pearls among the swine" ! (in other
words, be careful what you say, and to whom!)
And lastly, it has been said of the esteemed Mr. Edison - that he was nothing
more than a huckster, or good marketing man - and he had very few original
ideas - he TOOK the work of many other innovators, and made them real, or
improved them, and marketed them. Perhaps this characterization is too harsh
- but his own words are applicable here - "invention and innovation are 5%
inspiration, and 95% perspiration".
So if I or someone else provide an inspiration or new idea/perspective, and
someone else takes this idea and applies the considerable effort and
resources to develop it to a marketable item - even if that person's
motivation is selfishness - society still benefits. (assuming he/she succeeds)
And the issue of patenting to suppress - unlikely in my view - again the
principles will be fairly straight forward - and there will be many ways to
get around such a suppression patent. And the issue of government secrecy
coming into play - can't work If you've published the details on the net
already!
Sincerely,
DMBoss1021
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