Hacker News Reader

Why can't we let the markets regulate themselves?

Or, if we're dictating what's a fair price.. can we at least force Intel, AMD and other relevant parties to license X86 patents?

View on HN

The difference is that for cellular phones to be effective, they all must use the same standard. Companies agree that for their inventions to be part of the standard, they will license their patents to all comers at FRAND. The patent holders are basically granted a monopoly by the standard setters in exchange for fair licensing terms.

> Why can't we let the markets regulate themselves?

Because this is a synthetic market the government explicitly created and maintained through patent legislation.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com