GOP: The Grade School Boy Trying Too Hard to Get the Silicon Valley Girl
He Likes Her a Little Too Much |
Hopefully, we as men and women grow out of this - and at least get a little better at wooing others. Sadly, the Republican Party’s crush on the Silicon Valley has not advanced past the elementary school stage.
The GOP wants the Silicon Valley’s love. And by love we mean the millions of donation dollars that currently go mostly to Democrats. And sadly, it appears some Republicans will go to nearly any length to curry some of that coin.
Including giving up core conservative principles. Currently on the Win Your Love sacrificial altar - private property rights.
Behold Utah Republican Senator Orrin Hatch’s latest love missive to their Valley Girl. Published in the Valley’s Tiger Beat - Wired.
Since 2011, Overstock.com, from my home state of Utah, has been targeted by 28 so-called patent “trolls,” seeking to enforce vague patents.
If a patent is vague, that is the fault of the U.S. government - the Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) - for approving it. Once the USPTO approves, though, that patent is private property - with all the ownership rights pertaining thereto.
If Overstock doesn't like it - work with Congress to tighten up the USPTO's approval process. Don't get government to undermine a fundamental component of our intellectual property system.
Behold the fundamental issue in this whole “patent troll” discussion. We don't need “patent troll” reform - we need Patent Office reform.
Inventors often have zero desire to actually implement their ideas. Their joy is in the inventing. They are often more than happy to sell an idea (to a “shell company”) - to fund their work on their next idea.
This is an amazing, virtuous cycle of innovation. Why would we want to fundamentally undermine it?
If I were squatting in your office building and renting the space out – would you be pleased if I got Congress to outlaw your ability to collect rent or evict me? You absolutely would not. Congratulations – you’re an “office troll.”
This is the Silicon Valley looking to “rent seek” – which means getting government to pass laws that tilt the playing field in their favor. And, of course, getting favors from government costs money – otherwise known as political donations.
Of course Democrats are – as always – for Crony Socialist sale. It’s disheartening when the allegedly free market, private-property-protecting Republicans are too.
Hey GOP – sometimes the girl ain't worth it.
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Seton Motley is the President of Less Government and he contributes to ARRA News Service. Please feel free to follow him him on Twitter / Facebook.
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