If I invented the spreadsheet today, of course I would file for a patent.
I can't help feeling bad for VisiCalc, getting killed by Lotus 123, and they in turn by Excel. Similar to Apple (almost) getting killed by the PC (they invented the Personal Computer - even the term was appropriated by their competitor).
When you invent something really useful that's never existed before... don't you deserve something awesome in return? But I guess they did make some serious money; and consumers benefited from the better implementations (which is why they switched). Ownership would have prevented this particular progress.
When you invent something really useful that's never existed before... don't you deserve something awesome in return? But I guess they did make some serious money; and consumers benefited from the better implementations (which is why they switched). Ownership would have prevented this particular progress.
I still feel bad for them though.