Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
Which is precisely the reason that "an idea" cannot be copyrighted. You can only copyright a concrete expression of that idea, whether it be in the form of a rap song, a symphony, an oil painting, or a book. It doesn't prevent anybody else from having the same idea, as long as they express it in a different form to yours.
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But you can patent ideas. Several years ago, before recent changes in patent law, you could patent tax strategies. Several tax firms or patent trolls patented some not new tax strategies, and sent letters saying if you use these with your clients, you have to pay us. Congress stopped this, and you can no longer patent tax strategies, but they did not invalidate those that had been issued. I think most people are just ignoring it - you would get in more trouble for not using the strategies for your clients. Everyone has a right to structure their finances to reduce their tax liaiblity. I don't think a court would be very sympathetic (assuming they could understand it in the first place.)