Re: [spoon-discuss] Proto-prop: Patents

["Baron von Skippy" <bvs@xxxxxxxxxx>]

>> (2) Before we get back into rule-mandated
>> sole-source vendor 
>> societies, I'd still like to see some mechanism for
>> "owning" a 
>> "technology"...something that can be transferred
>> between 
>> entities, or even somehow stolen or forcibly
>> acquired.  This 
>> would de-necessitate (decessitate?) BDSM from being
>> explicitly 
>> referenced in the rules.
>
>How about this?
>
>{{
>Create a rule:
>{{
>__Patents__
>
>Game entities may own Patents, which define a type of
>object. Entities may submit a patent application as a
>proposal. The title of the patent application proposal
>must consist of "Patent Application:" followed by the
>name of the object, and must list the following:
>- Name of the object
>- Characteristics of the object
>- Cost of creating the object, or method by which the
>object may be created.
>
>If a patent application proposal passes, the proponent
>is granted a Patent on that object and the object
>becomes defined as though by a Rule. The holder of a
>Patent on an object may create objects of that type by
>paying the cost or performing the actions defined by
>the patent.
>
>Patents may be transfered or sold between game
>entities.
>}}
>}}
>
>For example, the following would be a legal patent
>application:
>
>{{
>__Patent Application: Gnome__
>
>Name: Gnome
>
>There are several different types of gnomes. These
>include:
>Fire gnome
>Ice gnome
>Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster gnome
>...
>
>Gnomes may be Squeezed. The effects of squeezing vary
>by type:
>Fire gnome: (effect)
>...
>
>Gnomes begin with (x) hit points. Squeezing a gnome
>reduces the hit points of that gnome by 1. When a
>gnome's hit points reach 0, it is destroyed.
>
>Gnomes cost 5 points to create.
>}}
>
>Opinions?
>
-I'd have to edit the patent every time I wanted to make a new type of Gnome, it looks like. And once I did that, someone else could make a slightly different patent and make every type of Gnome except the one I just added. I think if a society vanishes mysteriously (I don't plan on quitting, just so everyone knows), just change or repeal the rules that screws up. Losing the ability to buy Gnomes isn't going to break the game. 

Hmm. What about this... Patent applications only cover the class of object (Gnomes, Speeder Upgrades, Whoopass and Whoopass Accessories), and all of the various types of those objects (Fire Gnomes, Vertical Boosters, Monoliths) have to fit some definition in the patent (Gnomes are: blahblahblah) to be covered by it. 

If someone then attempts to infringe on my patent with a similar product (Pixies, Homonculi) which is like Gnomes but has a silly hat on, I can sue them, which basically amounts to a CFI with damages paid if it's found in my favor. Now, I'm assuming I'd have to sue them while the proposal that would make Pixies into something Gnome-like is still on the ballot. That way, instead of letting CFIs repeal rules, we can let a Lawsuit CFI perma-shelve a proposal until it's resolved. Although there /would/ need to be some sort of safeguard against various players (Wonko) dropping in a prop like that in the eleventh hour the day I go away for a few days and lose the ability to sue eir ass. That is, a safeguard other than Dave stopping the Clock for four days at the end of every nweek. Not coming up with anything there.-

[[BvS]]
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