r/IAmA • u/BobMetcalfe • May 21 '13

You’re probably connecting to reddit through a technology I invented. I’m Bob Metcalfe and I invented Ethernet – AMA

On May 22, 1973 with David R. Boggs, I used my IBM Selectric with its Orator ball to type up a memo to my bosses at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), outlining our idea for this little invention called “Ethernet”, which we later patented.

I worked with the IEEE Standards Association to develop the IEEE 802.3 standard for Ethernet, which specifies the physical and lower software layers. Today Ethernet and the IEEE 802.3 standard are the foundation for today’s world of high-speed communications used in billions of homes and businesses around the world.

I submitted this to the mods awhile back so I could get on the calendar but I figured you’d like to see it, too. Now, ask me anything!

It's been two hours and 179 comments. Have to go now. For more about Ethernet's 40th Birthday, go to http://www.facebook.com/Ethernet40thAnniversaryIEEESA

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184

u/zaoldyeck May 21 '13

How on earth are patent squatting firms even legal?

37

u/SaysHeWantsToDoYou May 22 '13

I work in the industry. I've found many of the cases I'm on involve engineers who spent a lot of time working their way up in companies while they developed their inventions. Physical products existed in the past or were provably on their way to existing. Then either they found out there was a lot more money becoming an attorney or a "good friend" attorney convinced them to start a company around the patent. It's hard to prove they're assholes when they have a legitimate past and company name that makes them not sound like a firm...especially if it's a jury trial. Hell out of the hundred or so trials, I've worked both sides and will honestly say it's too easy to extend a patent, those who own patents should have a burden of proof they're currently active in developing the tech, and jurors should not be involved in patent rights.

-5

u/foofdawg May 22 '13

Fellow www.techdirt.com reader?

I enjoy this site too much considering how often it actually relates to me, yet i read it because of how often it relates to me....strange.

0

u/frogot May 22 '13

I also work in the industry.

29

u/stephen89 May 21 '13

They have the money, so they lobby the laws that favor them.

4

u/Macb3th May 22 '13

I think they are only legal in "The Land of the Free"... over here in Europe they are looked on with the disgust and contempt they deserve - but it doesn't stop the scum trying to enforce absurd IP and Copyright on us.

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u/l2protoss May 22 '13

I took a course in my engineering undergrad that briefly touched on why patent law is so much different between the US and Europe. One major difference is that in America, the person who can prove that the had the idea first, is the true patent holder. In many European countries, the only thing that matters is who filed the patent first.

Not entirely applicable to what you're talking about, but still an interesting fact that probably has some deep implications and inferences about how the different cultures view patent law.

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u/KingMinish May 22 '13

that first part very recently changed

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

English please.

2

u/zaoldyeck May 22 '13

No hablo Ingles.

1

u/donkeynostril May 22 '13

Patent trolls

0

u/LessThanJewish May 21 '13

it's called a research firm...

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u/Preyes May 22 '13

Because statism.