IP is designed to allow a certain subset of solutions to be monopolize by inventors for ~ half the life of the inventor (although most patents are abandoned after a few years). It shouldn’t, ideally, block all possible solutions.
In my experience (have applied for over 50 patents), the act of understanding and inventing around other peoples patents has very often lead to brainstorming resulting in superior solutions (this was an unforeseen advantage of good US IP law that other countries are trying to replicate).
I would note that my ventures are in the area of atoms and not bits :)
In my experience (have applied for over 50 patents), the act of understanding and inventing around other peoples patents has very often lead to brainstorming resulting in superior solutions (this was an unforeseen advantage of good US IP law that other countries are trying to replicate).
I would note that my ventures are in the area of atoms and not bits :)