For Pianist, Software Is Replacing Sonatas(nytimes.com)
nytimes.com
For Pianist, Software Is Replacing Sonatas
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/21/arts/music/21taub.html
2 comments
Oh, they sound innovative, they just don't sound patent-worthy. At the core of his idea he's just plugging some OCR algorithms into a midi player, but the way he's described it I wouldn't be surprised if some of those patents essentially amount to a patent on a specific yet unremarkable implementation of OCR with a midi player attached.
The implementation may be innovative, but not patent worthy since it's a fairly straightforward application of existing tools.
The implementation may be innovative, but not patent worthy since it's a fairly straightforward application of existing tools.
"Just plugging some OCR algorithms into a midi player" is severely downplaying a difficult task. OCR algorithms designed for text aren't likely to be immediately applicable to musical notation, which is pretty complicated, not all that standardized, and often ambiguous. This is the sort of area where deep knowledge really pays off - it's not just throwing together a website.
Assuming any software can be patented, I don't doubt there are some algorithms to be discovered in this area that qualify. Hopefully the patents aren't so broad that others can't work around them.
Assuming any software can be patented, I don't doubt there are some algorithms to be discovered in this area that qualify. Hopefully the patents aren't so broad that others can't work around them.
I came here to post about the same quote from the article, it just made me a little sick.
Even if his patents are ridiculous, they are there to either deter competition or destroy it.
Even if his patents are ridiculous, they are there to either deter competition or destroy it.
Robert Taub is a phenomenal pianist. The app is quite cool and slickly done as well. I can see the complains, esp. here, about the essence of any new (or not new) IP, but Taub got my $5 bucks back in the day to hear him play, and he got my $7.99 today.
I know it's cliché to bash patents, but as a musician and someone who often brainstorms opportunities for music software, this is frustrating. I haven't tried to look for these particular patents, but I'd almost bet that they aren't that innovative. This whole business of "navigating the patent landscape" just sucks the ambition out of new ideas whenever they come up.
Yeah, patents shouldn't stop you from doing it, etc, but that just postpones you having to deal with the problem if you become successful.