USPTO grants Calif. lawyer patent over entire WWW naming scheme

http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2004Jan/gee20040120023507.htm ^ | posted 8:43am EST Tue Jan 20 2004 | J. Eric Smith

[steve-b]

But that would violate the Constitution

Actually, no, it wouldn't -- Congress is given the power to advance the progress of science and the useful arts by granting temporary monopolies, but is not instructed that it must do so or that anyone has a right to have it do so.

"Bad Public Policy" != "Un-Constitutional"

[Atlas Sneezed]

Congress is given the power to advance the progress of science and the useful arts by granting temporary monopolies, but is not instructed that it must do so or that anyone has a right to have it do so.

---

Good point! I stand corrected.

Art I, Sec. 8. The Congress shall have Power...
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;