This Tiny Website Is Google’s First Line of Defense in the Patent Wars
Wired
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Contributed by: Drex DeFord
Summary
Google's TDCommons, a free space for inventors to share ideas without patenting, remains little-known despite Google's nine-year ownership. TDCommons offers alternative for ideas deemed worthy, but not worth expensive patent applications. Employee incentives include a $1,000 bonus and option to share secretive work, potentially blocking others from patenting similar concepts. TDCommons struggles finding prominence against more robust archives, yet reflects Google's interest in ensuring technical creativity within corporations is accessible and supported. Future success hinges on TDCommons being listed as an official resource for patent examiners.
