The patent system is a very effective way of encouraging valuable research in science and technology.

It's just a shame that it is also being misused as a tool to screw money out of open systems of the world by corporate scum, patent trolls, greedy law firms, and their corrupt government allies.

Leaving genuinely honest people, like the open source movement, heath care systems of third world countries and the organic farming industry, to suffer at their hands.

Once the patent system has been cleaned up and returned to the purpose it was originally design for, it will be something to be proud of again.

This is very exciting technology. IBM is traditionally, in top of the patent filings. The patent system allows for them to make these advances and instead of keeping them secret disclose them to the public. www.beckthomas.com

A hydrogen atom is walking down the street with a friend when he suddenly stops.

The friend says, "What's wrong?"

The hydrogen atom replies, "I lost my electron!"

The friend says, "Are you sure?"

The hydrogen atom exclaims, "Yes, I'm positive."

The friend laments, "Oh, I thought you were just being negative again."

There were two electrons on the beach at Brighton,one said to the other, "are you AC, or DC"?
A third one quips..."I'm FREE!"

Nick, you made me laugh 4 times today, keep it up, the last articles were great.