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<blockquote data-quote="darkelfo" data-source="post: 2125779" data-attributes="member: 29869">I think a patent system could be very interesting if that is your bag. In the middle ages, Letters Patent were often issued to inventors by countries to incentivize them to move into their land and bring technology with them. The basic monopoly in exchange for technology disclosure deal still works today.&nbsp;Add magic and it gets interesting. I recall a faerun AD&amp;D spell (wizard mark? arcane mark?) which had disastrous results if you attempted to copy a wizard's mark. While that speaks more to the trademark world than to patent, its fodder for thought in the patent world. &nbsp;Given its emphasis on artificers and amazing technology, a patent system might be tenable in Ebberron. On the other hand, most fantasy worlds seem to operate on a trade secret basis where wizards keep their secrets secret to horde power for themselves. One variant is the &quot;geek cred&quot; theory where wizards get station in life by disclosing new and amazing spells and technologies.&nbsp;Check out the Inspired Inventor PrC in Steam and Steal. At level three they get a patron that funds their research, but controls the release of information learned. Such a patronage system is fodder for lots of cool plot hooks. Picture the late night knock on the door from the secret patron's agent. A large bag of gold, a deadline to craft a new construct or weapon and an adventure to gather the parts or ingredients is a recipe for lots of fun and danger. &nbsp;As long as its FUN, why not?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="darkelfo, post: 2125779, member: 29869"] I think a patent system could be very interesting if that is your bag. In the middle ages, Letters Patent were often issued to inventors by countries to incentivize them to move into their land and bring technology with them. The basic monopoly in exchange for technology disclosure deal still works today. Add magic and it gets interesting. I recall a faerun AD&D spell (wizard mark? arcane mark?) which had disastrous results if you attempted to copy a wizard's mark. While that speaks more to the trademark world than to patent, its fodder for thought in the patent world. Given its emphasis on artificers and amazing technology, a patent system might be tenable in Ebberron. On the other hand, most fantasy worlds seem to operate on a trade secret basis where wizards keep their secrets secret to horde power for themselves. One variant is the "geek cred" theory where wizards get station in life by disclosing new and amazing spells and technologies. Check out the Inspired Inventor PrC in Steam and Steal. At level three they get a patron that funds their research, but controls the release of information learned. Such a patronage system is fodder for lots of cool plot hooks. Picture the late night knock on the door from the secret patron's agent. A large bag of gold, a deadline to craft a new construct or weapon and an adventure to gather the parts or ingredients is a recipe for lots of fun and danger. As long as its FUN, why not? [/QUOTE]

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