this post was submitted on 05 Nov 2023
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You know what else is a solid form of hydrogen?
Ice.
I wish they went into more deatil about what kind of solid fuel cell system they're working with - they say they're trapping hydrogen molecules in some kind of molecular lattice, i.e. a crystal of some sort perhaps?
Anyway, I hate patents but understand why you need them... They just seems to slow down progress.
Patents trade public disclosure of technology for a limited time exclusive use of the technology. Without them companies are less likely to publicly disclose any technologies they develop.
Never thought about it that way but it is an excellent policy. Thank You.
Now if only we could get the goddamn Mickey Mouse in public domanin.
The idea/spirit of patents is a good one.
It enables generic medicine - as patented medicine needs to publicly disclose methods. It also allows the public to know what is in the patented product because it is public info.
It also makes iteration easier, as everyone can build off and on top of the patent info.
However, patent abuse is a real issue. Using patents to stifle others innovation and create monopolies. Also patents that come about from publicly funded research often give private companies exclusive rights to profit from work funded by the public.
Mickey mouse is copyright, which is a different beast. It's also good because it protects people producing easily copied work such as writing, music and images. However, the mouse has lobbied his way into making the copyright protection excessively long. It should be much shorter, 30 years since publication would be reasonable - it would be a tremendous victory if we got it down to 50.
Next year (1st january 2024), it'll be in the US (but just the first version from Steamboat Willie and The Gallopin' Gaucho)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_in_public_domain