Patent Law

Translator: Cinder Translations

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The looms currently popular among human nations are large wooden structures, with the width of the fabric determined by the range that the weft yarn, supported by the shuttle, can reach. The warp threads are separated by heddles placed on horizontal rods, with a simple balance mechanism ensuring that one rod rises while the other falls. The light threads are spread parallel by a large comb-like device known as a "reed." Originally made of wood, this device was later upgraded to iron and steel. Since the weft yarn is passed manually through the warp threads, the width of the fabric and the speed of weaving are greatly limited.

The loom demonstrated at the press conference, however, featured a magical structure—the flying shuttle. The flying shuttle used a pair of belts as slings to suspend the shuttle and pass it through the warp threads. On either side of the loom, a shuttle driver, which could slide along a metal rod on the reed frame, was equipped. The two shuttle drivers were connected by a control rope with wooden handles. By pulling a rope, the worker could alternate the motion of the two belts, and by yanking the rope in one direction, the shuttle driver would shoot the shuttle through the light threads. The shuttle had four wheels and was guided by a shuttle board, with the opposing shuttle driver stopping it before launching it back in the opposite direction when the rope was pulled again.

With the flying shuttle, a weaver could produce fabric of any width, and the speed was significantly increased.

Although the structure was simple, it was highly sophisticated, and the new loom once again drew admiration from the audience.

Immediately, some people had thoughts of copying it. The basic structure of the flying shuttle was clear at a glance, and with a few experiments, they believed they could figure out the finer details.

But their excitement was soon dampened.

Just as people were eagerly watching the demonstration of the Jenny spinning machine and the flying shuttle loom, a bell rang. A carriage entered the press conference venue.

As the door of the carriage opened, a man in a robe stepped down, the robe bearing a symbol of a scale. Many in the crowd recognized him—Lord Thomas, the Chief Justice of the Lord's Court.

Judge Thomas walked up to a platform made of wooden boxes and shouted, "Everyone, while the businesspeople from Alden, Byerldine, and Emden are gathered here, I have something important to announce."

Once he had everyone's attention, Thomas loudly proclaimed, "Ladies and gentlemen! Many of you do not know me, so let me introduce myself. I am Thomas, the Chief Justice appointed by Lord Paul Grayman, here to deliver a message on behalf of the Earl—concerning the spinning machine and the loom demonstrated at this press conference. Do not copy them recklessly, or you will face the punishment of the Lord's Court."

"What?" The crowd buzzed with confusion.

"Earl Grayman and Earl Ganard have jointly issued a decree—Patent Law. This law grants the true first inventor or organization the exclusive right to implement or manufacture their invention within the jurisdiction of Alden Town's Administrative Office, including all subordinate territories of Emden, for a period of ten to twenty years, depending on the situation. During this time, no one else may use it."

"The details of the decree can be found on the bulletin board in front of the Lord's Manor. In short, the patents for the spinning machine and the loom displayed today belong to the Alden Town Machinery Factory, and any private replication of these inventions is illegal."

"What?" The crowd was shocked, and some people, risking the wrath of the lord, shouted, "Then why are we even watching this? Just to make us drool with envy?"

Thomas shook his head. "According to the Patent Law, you may purchase ready-made products from the Alden Town Machinery Factory, but you may not replicate them privately."

"Oh!" That was acceptable, just like with the harvesting machines before. The Machinery Factory had previously guarded the manufacturing techniques of the harvesting machines closely, and buyers had to sign confidentiality agreements. Now, the Lord had simply issued a formal decree to protect technology.

Well, everyone knew that the Alden Town Machinery Factory was essentially Earl Grayman's enterprise, so this was understandable.

Thomas's next words made the crowd perk up their ears: "Take note, everyone. The law prohibits private replication, but with the patent holder's consent, you can purchase a patent license or even buy their patent rights altogether—this process must be witnessed by the newly established Patent Office. With a patent license, you can use new technologies or inventions within the permitted scope."

The Chief Justice's words sparked another round of heated discussion. Someone asked, "Your Honor, does this so-called Patent Law apply to everyone? For instance, can I, as a commoner, also obtain a patent if I invent something new?"

Thomas nodded and replied, "Yes, as long as no one else invented and submitted a patent application before you, you can take your invention to the Patent Office, and after the examiners evaluate it, you will be granted a patent certificate."

He added, "Whether you are a noble, a knight, a commoner, or even a slave, if you are the true inventor, you will be protected by Patent Law."

"Whoa!" The crowd became even more animated. Many people couldn't wait to go home and bring their past 'wild ideas' to life. Those who didn't think they had the talent for invention began to consider whether they should sponsor people who liked tinkering with new gadgets and buy their patents or usage rights—who knew, they might just strike it rich.

It was likely that soon, a flood of bizarre inventions would leave the Patent Office staff both amused and exasperated.

"Everyone, I've only given a brief overview. If you have the time, make sure to study the Patent Law in detail. Otherwise, it's not worth it if you accidentally break the law."

With that, the Chief Justice left the press conference venue.

Paul had long considered introducing a patent law. Fast-tracking the territory into the industrial era couldn't be achieved by him alone—he needed to spark the creativity of everyone in the territory.

From a historical perspective on Earth, patent systems had both pros and cons. The advantages included protecting inventors' interests and promoting invention to a certain extent. However, there were also downsides, such as an abundance of junk patents that wasted human and material resources, and the emergence of patent trolls. Still, overall, patent systems tended to boost technological advancement.

In the past, due to lack of power and vulnerability, any new invention had to be guarded closely and manufactured in secret. Now, Alden possessed the strongest military in the Northwest Bay, and with Duke Henry Fraule as an external ally, they had enough deterrence to ward off ill-intentioned people.

Of course, for now, the protection only applied to inventions within his territory. As for any good inventions from outside his jurisdiction, Paul didn't mind engaging in a bit of "borrowing."

(End of the Chapter)

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