Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 314: Patent Law

The looms currently popular in human nations are large wooden structures, their width defined by the range reached by the shuttle-supported weft yarns. The heddle rods, placed on horizontal bars, separate the warp threads, with a simple balancing device ensuring that when one rod is lifted, another falls. A large comb-like “steel reed” separates the light yarns in parallel; initially made of wood, it was later upgraded to iron and steel. The manual shuttling of the weft yarn greatly limits the width of the fabric and the speed of weaving.

At the press conference, a miraculous structure was added to the loom – the flying shuttle. The shuttle, suspended by a pair of belts, is passed through the heddle rods. Each side of the loom is fitted with a beater, sliding along a metal rod on the reed seat, connected by a rope with wooden handles. The weaver pulls a rope, and the two belts alternately move, rapidly pulling the rope in one direction, projecting the shuttle across the light yarn. The shuttle, equipped with four wheels and guided by a shuttle board, is blocked by the beater on the opposite side and then catapulted back in the opposite direction.

With the flying shuttle, a weaver can produce fabric of any width, significantly increasing the speed.

Despite its simplicity, the new loom design again amazed the audience.

Some immediately thought of replicating it. The basic structure of the flying shuttle was clear at a glance, and its details could be figured out with a few experiments.

However, they were soon discouraged.

As people were enthusiastically observing the demonstration of the spinning machines and the loom with the flying shuttle, a bell rang. A carriage entered the venue.

A man in a robe, adorned with a scales of justice pattern, stepped down from the carriage. Many recognized him as Lord Thomas, the Chief Justice of the Lord’s Court.

Thomas climbed onto a platform made of wooden boxes and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, taking advantage of the gathering of industrial and commercial people from Alda, Baylding, and Emden, I have an important announcement to make.”

After capturing everyone’s attention, Thomas loudly said, “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 represent the Count and to advise you – do not replicate the spinning machines and looms demonstrated at this press conference without authorization, or you will face sanctions from the Lord’s Court.”

The crowd, confused, began to murmur.

“Count Grayman and Count Ganard have jointly enacted a law – the Patent Law. It grants a patent certificate and exclusive rights for ten to twenty years to the true first inventor or organization of a manufactured product or technology, within the jurisdiction of Lakeheart Town’s Administration Council, including all its subsidiary territories. During the grant of the patent and rights, others are prohibited from using it.”

“For the details of the law, please refer to the notice board in front of the Lord’s Mansion. In short, the spinning machines and looms displayed now are patented by the Lakeheart Town Machinery Factory, and any private replication is illegal.”

The crowd was shocked, and someone, risking offending the Lord, shouted, “Then why let us see them? Just to make us envious?”

Thomas shook his head, “According to the Patent Law, you can purchase the finished products from Lakeheart Town Machinery Factory; you just cannot replicate them privately.”

“Oh!” The crowd seemed relieved. It was similar to the previous situation with the harvester. The Machinery Factory had strictly guarded the manufacturing technology of the harvester, and buyers had to sign a confidentiality agreement. Now, the Lord has directly legislated to protect the technology.

Everyone knew that Lakeheart Town Machinery Factory was established by Count Grayman, so this move was within reason.

Thomas continued, “Note, the law forbids private replication, but with the patent holder’s consent, you can purchase a patent license, or even the patent rights themselves – this must be witnessed by the newly established Patent Office. With a patent license, you can use the new technology or invention within the specified scope.”

The Chief Justice’s words sparked another round of heated discussion. Someone asked, “Your Honor, does this Patent Law apply to everyone? Like me, a commoner, if I invent something new, can I also obtain a patent?”

Thomas nodded, “Yes, as long as no one has invented it before you and filed a patent application, you can bring your invention to the Patent Office. After examination by the inspectors, you will be granted a patent.”

He added, “Whether you are a noble, knight, commoner, or even a slave, as long as you are the true inventor, you are protected by the Patent Law.”

The crowd buzzed with excitement, many eager to return home to realize their various ‘ingenious ideas’. Those who didn’t feel they had a knack for invention considered sponsoring those who liked to tinker with new things, buying their patents or usage rights, potentially striking it rich.

Soon, a host of bizarre inventions would probably make the Patent Office staff both laugh and cry.

“Everyone, what I’ve just said is just a summary. When you have time, be sure to study the Patent Law in detail, otherwise you might inadvertently break the law.”

With these words, the Chief Justice left the press conference.

Implementing the Patent Law had been on Paul’s mind for a long time. To quickly transition to the industrial age, it wasn’t enough to rely on just him; he needed to stimulate the creativity of all the people in his territory.

Looking at Earth’s history, the patent system has its pros and cons. The advantage is that it protects the interests of inventors and promotes invention and creation to a certain extent. The disadvantages include the proliferation of useless patents, wasting resources, and the emergence of ‘patent trolls’. But overall, the patent system has played a promotional role in the advancement of technology.

Previously, due to his limited strength, Paul had to strictly guard any new inventions and manufacture them secretly. Now, with Alda holding the strongest army in the Northwest Bay and with Duke Henry Ferdinand as an external ally, he had enough deterrent power to discourage those with ill intentions.

Of course, for now, the protection only extended to inventions within his own territory. If there was something valuable outside his jurisdiction, Paul wouldn’t mind adopting a ‘take it for ourselves’ approach.

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