…leaving the idea unclaimed for someone else to patent instead? Strange take.
The patent system is far from perfect, but patents themselves are necessary. EA had an idea, they had the right to patent it. They have the right to keep the patent closed, instead they opted to open it.
The better alternative would be to not patent it in the first place.
Then a patent troll steals it and makes things worse for everyone.
Patenting something then immediately opening it up is by far the best option.
…leaving the idea unclaimed for someone else to patent instead? Strange take.
The patent system is far from perfect, but patents themselves are necessary. EA had an idea, they had the right to patent it. They have the right to keep the patent closed, instead they opted to open it.
You can’t patent something that already exists.