Patent Laws in the Computer Industry - Assignment Example

COMPUTER INDUSTRY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Question One Patent Laws in the Computer Industry Every industry has a comprehensive set of legal regulations that dictate most of the significant activities, especially because of the entrepreneurial statures. In computer and high tech industry, the overall patent law administrates the cogency and contravention of charters and they are different in some countries and thus affect the information and computer technology corporations (Burk, 2002). Naturally, companies such as Apple and Microsoft have establishments around the world on various technologies i.e. smartphones, software, desktop computers and laptops. The statutes and charters in these industries do not distinguish the variations in such technologies. This advocates for the frequent lawsuits between companies and transnational organizations. Moreover, the patent laws in the industry emphasis on flexibility due to the vast growth and development of new technologies (Jordan, 2012). Competition is always a significant element in all industries but in computer technology production sharing ideas on areas such as graphic user interface and operating systems is not a major issue because novelty and innovation are the key determinants of success in such an industry. Relatively, the flexibility aspect of the patent laws and system in general only give protection on a neutral perspective hence making it easy for a company such as Apple to sue Samsung (Grandoni, 2013). Due to the constant lawsuit in the last decade, some of the recent advancements in the computer industry entailed the expansion of a wide scope of the patent laws in different technologies. A good example is on software development where firms like Apple, Microsoft or even Google have no idea on the patents they overstep because they operate at an international level (Goldman, 2012). The patent laws in the United States might not be the same in places like India or Japan. Currently, statistics show that software patents are in hundreds of thousands especially with over 30,000 new ones developed in 2014 alone. With such as wide scope, most of the infringement companies involve in is usually unintentional (Jordan, 2012). Additionally, the multi-billion dollar companies such as Google, IBM and Microsoft have their own patents based on their products; not software development. This patents or charters act as a threat towards their competitors and it is the duty of all these companies to know the regulations/ patents set by competing rivals in the industry or else it can lead to lawsuits (Megan, 2012). For instance, Yahoo has around a thousand patents and after the development of Facebook, the company was able to come up with over eight patents to avow against it. The software patent laws are among the most crucial regulation in the computer industry since they also consider inventions from particular software developed by a certain company. This grants certain companies power to sue people with software-based or computer implemented inventions (Goldman, 2012). However, even though such patents are popular in other industries, in computer technology they have to produce a technical effect in the essence that, the software applies in solving a technical difficulty or coming up with a technical solution. The patent laws specify that using software from a company such as Microsoft is not much of an innovation but a development or customization of that software hence the credibility should go both ways (Lohr, 2003). The general evaluation of such patents laws shows that filling a lawsuit is easy in the industry; moreover, the neutral aspect these laws advocate the notion that any company can win a case. Assertively, the increase in patent laws as technology advances create the chances of infringement by any company creating a platform where organizations such as the European Union will sue companies based in the United States, Japan and China because of the augmented variations. Effect of Lawsuits and Questionable Behaviors i. On Customers Lawsuits between companies are not among the concerns of most consumers unless the subject concerns edible products such as foods or drinks; however, in the computer industry these suits affect the consumers in multiple ways. A good example of a lawsuit and questionable behavior between companies is the recent trails where Apple was suing Samsung for replication of products on smartphone technologies. Most of these two companies’ consumers were aware of the allegations in no time because Samsung and Apple are internationally recognized corporations in smartphone and computer technology (Grandoni, 2013). Among the main effects of such a lawsuit is the perception of consumers towards companies they believe have the best products. Moreover, the fact that Samsung also filled a lawsuit by claiming Apple violated some its patents shows that there is vast rivalry, which spreads down to the consumers who criticize each other based on their devices. Lawsuits affect the trust of consumers giving them fewer choices of companies whose computer or smartphone they can purchase or use without fear of replication or imitation. This might not be a personal decision but in some cases, the justice system makes summary judgments by banning certain devices in their countries i.e. the United States banned Tab 10.1 by Samsung (Grandoni, 2013). On the other hand, the summary judgments of some trails might entail the company removing some of the features from a certain device, which makes it no better from earlier models or versions. Companies such as Apple and Samsung used up millions of dollars dealing with the two lawsuits, which is as much an issue and effect on the consumers. This money could apply in making advancements in technology or other projects relative to corporate social responsibility; consumers would benefit from such funds in many ways courtesy of the respective. ii. On Computer and High-Tech Companies Exchange of information and ideas between competing companies is a common practice in the common industry but in the past, employees have closed the gap allowing such acts. Statistics show many lawsuits resulting from contractual disagreements and cancellations resulting from certain companies using employees from rivals to get ahead of their competition. As per some state, federal and local laws recruiting employees based on non-competition agreements has been legal but the continuous lawsuits based on this subject restricts corporations in the computer industry and some cases, this is considered as ‘stealing’ (Megan, 2012). The lawsuits in this are the main cause of the modern prohibition of employees working for competing corporations during and a certain period thereafter. This limited access to labor is disadvantageous to the companies because it regulates their development and access to skill or talent significant for novelty in the different forms of technology. Relatively, frequent lawsuits affect the classification of computer and high-tech corporations in the justice systems and most of the summary judgments even in serious circumstances base on sub-standard perceptions of the industry (Burk, 2002). According to most judges, the computer and high tech industry is full of unprofessionalism as depicted by continuous breaching of patents and imposition of standards that people in other industries respect and consider tolerable. Prevalent Problems among High- Tech Industry The progress and development of patents in the computer and high tech industry is the main cause of the frequent lawsuits between companies, state governments and transnational organizations. The industry has a wide market with long line of consumers and retailers from around the world, which is an attraction for multiple competitors. The developments and knowledge about computers, smartphones and software accessible to everyone makes it hard to compete hence the participating companies view lawsuits and patents as the only way to eliminate or stay ahead of competition (Goldman, 2012). Based on recent advancements and pace in this area, such problems are most likely going to be prevalent even in the future or even increase. Today, companies such as Google, Microsoft and Apple are putting a lot of attention and resource on patents as barriers for start-up and competitor companies that might have better ideas even for the basic developments. Most of the problems emanate or are a cause from the patent laws with the only solution being the elimination of the neutral-protection element of the patent laws in the industry. This would apply specification of the technologies is part of the development elements of every patent. Question 2 Artificial Intelligence Today The first computer and the developments that followed its production marked a great invention that is a topic of discussion to date; however, with artificial intelligence the attention of people today is on multiple technologies (Gross, 2011). The smartphone, tablets and fast operating computers are among the modern systems that people interact with daily. These devices might not do much under the subject of artificial intelligence but they display certain aspects of the technology that has become part of our lives. Some people in the developed states have robots and cars they control with their mobile phone and high tech watches, which show that AI is becoming part of the average human. Most people would argue that AI bases on imitation of human behavior under aspects of thought and senses; hence there lacks no significant advancements in the field (Lawrence, 2015). Nonetheless, the intelligent behavior displayed by some of the computing machinery falls under AI especially as per the description of Alan Turing. Definitely, most of the widely recognized advancements today mark the early stages of comprehensive AI particularly with virtual assistants that assist and understand the human language. Inventions such as Siri by Apple or the popular military drones demonstrate proactive abilities acquired through identification of human patterns. Evidently, such examples show that AI has made an influence on people’s lives in many ways everywhere around the globe from security with advanced sensors to casual activities with digital cameras and laptops with new applications every day. However, to people in developed states, the focus now is on robots that they consider as the most exciting thing about Artificial Intelligence as of now (Lamb, 2012). The start of AI robots began with vacuum cleaners but as of today, companies such as iRobot having more advanced robots doing most of the office works such as delivering messages and summoning people for meeting. These common humanlike androids walk across halls without bumping into people or objects. Typically, AI is prevalent in most people’s daily activities but the computer technology and smartphones attract vast attention; however, due to the fast pace and multiple developments in these technology, the amazement fades out after a while. Voice recognition and self-driving cars are not subjects of fascination for people because most of the focus is on human-replicated robots that behave like them (Tim, 2015). Looking at it on a wider scope clearly shows that many people use Artificial Intelligence even without the consent but the biggest usage revolves around military technology, computer development and inventions. Resolutely, the expectations of IA systems for the future continue to increase every day and some scientists might signify them with a moving day. Artificial Intelligence in the Future Scientists like Stephen Hawking try to create a picture of how the world will be after ten or fifty years based on the current situation of Artificial Intelligence. According to most of these theories, AI will help accomplish some of the most tasks today such as visiting other planets and it will have its consequences such as the end of the human race. Hawking’s perception might be rational if compared to the multiple accomplishments made in short span and since AI bases on mimicking human thoughts and behavior after ten or fifty years scientists will have results on such subjects (Gross, 2011). Typically, robots and other forms of AI will have capabilities such as comprehending human thought process and perfect most of the tasks that people find hectic today. The end of the human spell emanates from the idea that these robots will advance and have capabilities of processing thoughts better than people do today making them superior and proficient of taking over the world. Most of the scientists with theories on AI speculate the advancements in robot and other forms of technology will mark the replacement of humans. Comparatively, once computer technology became prevalent some people lost their jobs because the computers and software had their capabilities and were more accurate (Markoff, 2013). The evolution of robots might be similar especially with multiple extensions from humans’ capability. On the other hand, understanding the human brain will be advantageous because the robots will make great breakthrough in the fields of medicine, information technology, transportation, communication among other fields. Moreover, most people will have a clear understanding of natural and artificial intelligence making it easy to adapt to the alterations. Among other benefits from advancements of IA in the future, as discussed by scientists, will be the developments of smartphones that will be personal geniuses then. This means that they will be able to tell between good and bad after scientists build animal-inspired algorithms that will only require a few tutorials. Personally, I think it is very early for people to start worrying about the demerits of artificial intelligence in the future but Stephen Hawking perception has a rationale, mainly if compared to the current situation of world leaders in technology and artificial intelligence such as Japan. Definitely, the benefits of artificial intelligence will be more than fascinating especially in giving solutions to some of the world problems such as cancer, AIDs, terrorism, telepathy among others (Ortiz, 2015). The risks will be equally consequential because not everyone’s intentions are using AI to make the world a better place. For instance, people will use developments such as visiting other planets to access terrestrial equipment, material or even viruses and use them against humans on earth. As much as people are excited about advancements in artificial technology and continue planning on how it will work out well; assessment of the risks should be part of the research and expectations. Resultantly, scientists will be able to eliminate problems and hindrances for successive utilization of developments in AI. REFERENCES Burk, D. (2002). Is Patent Law Technology Specific? Berkley Technology Law Journal. Retrieved from http://www.law.berkeley.edu/journals/btlj/articles/vol17/Burk-Lemley.stripped.pdf Goldman, E. (2012). The Problems with Software Patents: Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericgoldman/2012/11/28/the-problems-with-software-patents/ Gross, G. (2014). The Future of Artificial Intelligence- Computers will take Your Job: PC World. Retrieved from http://www.pcworld.com/article/2692352/the-future-of-artificial-intelligence-will-computers-take-your-job.html Jordan, R. (2012). The New Patent Law- An End of Entrepreneurship: Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertjordan/2012/11/13/the-new-patent-law-end-of-entrepreneurship/ Lamb, G. (2012). How Artificial Intelligence is Changing Our Lives: The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/Technology/Tech/2012/0916/How-artificial-intelligence-is-changing-our-lives Lawrence, N. (2015). Artificial Intelligence: The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/technology/artificialintelligenceai Lohr, S. (2003). Product Liability Lawsuits are New Threat to Microsoft: Business Daily, New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/06/business/product-liability-lawsuits-are-new-threat-to-microsoft.html Grandoni, D. (2013). How the Apple-Samsung Lawsuit Could Hurt Consumers: Tech, Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/31/apple-samsung-lawsuit-consumers_n_1721623.html Markoff, J. (2013). The Rapid Advance of Artificial Intelligence: Business Day Technology, New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/technology/the-rapid-advance-of-artificial-intelligence.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Megan, M (2012) Why Patent Lawyers are Clueless about the Software Industry: The Atlantic. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/03/why-patent-lawyers-are-clueless-about-the-software-industry/254963/ Ortiz, C. (2015). It is Time to Take Off Your Tinfoil Hats- AI is Safe for Human Consumption: Nuance. Retrieved from http://whatsnext.nuance.com/in-the-labs/effects-of-artificial-intelligence-on-humanity/ Tim, U. (2015). Artificial Intelligence: Future, BBC. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/future/tags/artificialintelligence Read More