FTA: "The new fee would be a much more exorbitant cost for some patent holders that would function like a property tax."
I've long thought that'd be a good idea: The government practically gives away these legal monopolies — but really, they're like hunting licenses, allowing patent holders to try to levy (what amount to) taxes that are paid indirectly by the public. So it doesn't seem unreasonable that the public should get its cut.
Yes, sometimes a patent holder really is providing a benefit to the public in exchange — but not always.
I've long thought that'd be a good idea: The government practically gives away these legal monopolies — but really, they're like hunting licenses, allowing patent holders to try to levy (what amount to) taxes that are paid indirectly by the public. So it doesn't seem unreasonable that the public should get its cut.
Yes, sometimes a patent holder really is providing a benefit to the public in exchange — but not always.