Danger Quote by Richard Stallman
“Fighting patents one by one will never eliminate the danger of software patents, any more than swatting mosquitoes will eliminate malaria.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 2005 Linux Conference, Richard Stallman
Patent proliferation cannot be stopped by targeting individual patents; systemic issues persist.
In simple terms: Targeting single patents won’t stop the broader problem.
Address the systemic nature of software patents.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- software development
- legal strategy
- policy advocacy
- startup planning
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we reform the patent system to reduce systemic risk?
- What collective actions could mitigate software patent threats?
Focusing on one patent may distract from broader reform needed.