patrick.net

Peter, two banks have applied for patents for creative loans. B of A with their 'keep the change' and I think I saw this other one on this site somewhere; the mortgage that requires no payments for the first year or more. They build it into the equity but it is a really stupid idea.

I would rather direct any new business idea at Boomers and Gen-Yers.

My biggest gripe with patents nowadays is that they are supposed to be for original inventions which are not just using something differently. Starbucks has a patent on the corrugated cardboard which goes around their cups, and there is a patent on the gummy paper that goes around a restaurant place setting.

The patent system is broken. It is becoming a huge barrier of entrance for not-so-well-capitalized inventors.

I don't find boomers individualistic at all. They all look the same to me. They all seem to have a fascination with buying 100K RVs, and living by themselves in mcmansions. We are definitely stereotyping on this thread with a broad brush but I gotta say, they are the group I can't interact with. They are just a bunch of people compensating for their failed ideology by going against all the ideals they aspired to in the 60's. To sum it up in one word, hypocrites.

I do like Victorian fashion designs. Also, Victorian tearooms. :)

I agree it is broken, but it is rightfully designed to be a barrier of entry. My problem is it is misused and is not protecting innovation, it is protecting repackaging which is not what it is for.

My problem is it is misused and is not protecting innovation, it is protecting repackaging which is not what it is for.

I suspect that many patents will get thrown out in courts. But the fear in infringements does send chill down the spine of a would-be inventor.

OMG yes, at least they knew the difference between how men and women should act. It was so refreshing in one of my MBA classes to meet ladies from Argentina, and Russia who actually were feminine and very bright. They actually dressed like girls.

I do not know why modern men think that clothing must be revealing to be sexy.

It usually goes the other way. You correctly pointed out that patents are given to the new less capitalized companies. What happens is the larger players in the industry intentionally infringe to force them to expend resources to protect the patent thus making them vulnerable. I can cite a great case where 'kiddie' a home product company making things like fire extinguishers almost destroyed a rival who invented a fire escape ladder. Even that was basically a rope ladder with metal rungs but the point of the case is what I'm talking about.

I guess you are right. One just need competent lawyers, always.

Yup, I am so desensatized that most female attire is just blah. I do have to tell you a funny story about this sexy girl in NM near the trinity site where the A-bomb was detonated. She owns a rock shop and I bought a piece of trinitite. She kept talking about how hard it was to meet men. She was such a spaz that I can imagine she scares them away, she was hot but talked like a man. With my girlfriend there she then pulls down her pants to show me and another guy in the store her frog tattoo right by her bush. She then joked and said that on the otherside she had a mouse but the pussy ate it. Funny, but not very lady like.

The other flaws that I see in boomers all the way down to the Ys is the failure to form lasting relationships. Everyone I talk to, and I mean everyone is stunned that I have been with my girl for 15 years. Literally some people pestering me to get married have two divorces in their past.

That's all the patent system has been reduced to. Just a bunch of little people in suits running around the courts and the patent office trying to either erect a barrier, or tear one down. It's a joke.

BTW I think Roswell NM is an up and coming place for real estate investing. It is one of the few places that has a tourist industry in NM because the whole UFO thing is so unique. It can't be duplicated in other areas. They are really evolving with the theme and it is quite a nice little town. I was talking to someone who is part of a group going to build a UFO themed hotel resort. This is going to be a chain reaction because other industries are going to jump onboard if the resort is built. It could turn into a non gaming Vegas type place. They even have a big airport here. It was something to drive down the highway and off in the distance seeing 747s dwarfing the trees between them and me.

Maybe I should become a patent lawyer. Lucrative and steady work. :)

Everyone I talk to, and I mean everyone is stunned that I have been with my girl for 15 years.

Nearly all of my friends have divorced at least once. I have had only one sweetheart in my entire life. Believe it or not.

Maybe I should become a patent lawyer. Lucrative and steady work. :)

There used to be one on this blog. Where is "escaped from DC?"

At one company I worked for we had a part time patent guy who made 200K a year. Yes, it is the most lucrative field of law IMO. Yes the injury ones do really well but as a steady income patent guys do really really well.

Just a bunch of little people in suits running around the courts and the patent office trying to either erect a barrier, or tear one down.

Your honor, tear down this wall!

I bet those guys still struggle to pay their bills. God lawyers are incompetent with finance. They sure live the rock star life though. A friend of mine's wife worked at a law firm. Man did she have stories, we had a good time once because we went to a baseball game and sat in the box.

bankruptcy lawyers will be big soon, already getting there

ha ha

I even herd Ron's voice in my head as I read that one.

God lawyers are incompetent with finance.

Can't argue. Any high-income professional can be culpable of this.

bankruptcy lawyers will be big soon, already getting there

That would be interesting. Are BK lawyers better at their finances? I heard that many doctors smoke.

Lots of business but it is a commodity. Simple forms, and a zillion lawyers competing. Definitely a big industry. Guess they can do well in volume. We have some real class acts in San Diego.

I love the ones that say little or no money down starts your bankruptcy case.

Hey guys, you know you are offering credit terms to people who have demonstrated that they don't pay their bills.

I love the ones that say little or no money down starts your bankruptcy case.

Ha! Bad credit OK, I presume?

bankruptcy lawyers will be big soon, already getting there

How will they get their fees? :o Maybe it's more profitable to be the anti-bankruptcy lawyers who stick it to people under the new laws.

Can’t argue. Any high-income professional can be culpable of this

You are very enlightened. A memorable MBA session was when we had a guy come in and talked about 'shaking down some doctors' when he needed angel funding. Professionals are great targets because they have no idea what to ask. They totally get turned on by a flowery story.

BK lawyers get first dibs on the bankruptcy estate

Small businesses are funded in this order, the three Fs.

Family
Friends
Fools (the professionals)

BK lawyers get first dibs on the bankruptcy estate

Ooh, all $23.47 in the account. :)

OMG, I've got a story one of those BK lawyers told me. You know what some of those scumbags do? They get the client to pay them with a credit card and then add that credit card to the creditor list. I just remembered that story.

Yup, times change. Camaros were the greatest status symbol when I was in high school. Now I'm like, what the f@ck were we thinking? Man NM is like a time capsule, people here love those 80s American POSs. The emissions in this state are about the same as in the 80s. I'm getting headaches everytime we follow too closely, and they still smoke in restaurants.

Anyone who is familiar with the recent H1B crisis? It seems like the 2007 (or 2008) quota is already completely used up so lots of foreigners with job offers will need to leave.

The Congress seems to be reviewing a new proposal of lifting the cap of H1B by another 50,000 a year. How likely will such a bill go through?

Peter you might get your way. Looks like they are going to settle on a fee for work visa solution. $3500 per pop.