Sir, Terence Kealey (Science Notebook, Aug 14) has developed an interesting thesis — that patents can in some way stultify innovation — from a few spectacular but misleading cases.
There is no guarantee that any patent will prove profitable. It merely establishes the inventor’s right to a fair share of any profit that may accrue. It is doubtful whether, for example, the Wright brothers’ blanket patent of the aeroplane would have withstood a challenge. Others had designed, built and flown aircraft before them. Their inventive steps were decisive and practical, and their engine in particular deserved patent protection, but the general concept of a powered aircraft was in the public domain and available for anyone to develop.
As a private inventor, I can vouch for the innovative value of patents. Once I have patented an invention I have saleable intellectual property and a degree of security when selling it to a prospective manufacturer. Having worked with a small company that successfully defended its patents, I can vouch for their value in keeping markets open for innovative products and risk-taking manufacturers where larger, less flexible corporations could establish de facto monopolies and crush progress in the pursuit of safe profit.
There is no compulsion to patent. An inventor is free to give his ideas away, but should he wish to own what he has made, a patent offers some security against its theft.
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ALAN M. CALVERD
Bishops Stortford, Herts