Pirates are traditionally thought of as mean guys with guns and boats who rape, rob, and plunder. Terrorists use bombs and other forms of violence and intimidation to achieve their political objectives. However, of late, copying of works protected by patent and copyright has been regarded as a form of piracy and as supporting terrorism. Today, an article in the New York Times described 'patent terrorism' as the enforcement of patent rights by holding companies. A few years ago, Microsoft officials even accused Apple of being a patent terrorist.
Lets get rid of this terminology. A company that uses the courts to enforce a patent is not a terrorist. To use these words so liberally will quickly dilute their meaning and leave us confused when we encounter the real terrorists.
