In the comment stream to Tesla’s press release opening up its patent portfolio is this statement by “Oldtimer”:
Elon Musk, you have my unconditional respect…!!
That statement characterizes hundreds of comments. Gaining unconditional respect. It does not get much sweeter, if one is building brand identity.
A few years ago, when I was working on a project at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus, I pushed for the technology transfer office to try an experiment and release just three patents this way. These were not just random patents–they were fundamental, unlicensed after a decade, and had been cited in the patent literature many times. I argued that the response from industry would be positive and would lead to many more opportunities for engagement, research, and innovation. But UW turned up its administrative nose. So the patents sit, unlicensed, awaiting their expiration, existing only as an express offer to any available speculative monopolist and a threat to anyone who might want to use the underlying technology. Indeed, widespread use would be just the thing to attract the speculative monopolist, the troll, the antagonist of use.
Why would not the users just “take” a license? Because none of them cares for exclusivity, and none of them cares to play the role of speculative monopolist. Universities might not be patent trolls, but they are actively creating an environment in which the trolls thrive.
Isn’t it time for a change?