This is definately one way to avoid the patent law bullshit. NY Times: “Rather than spend time and money to patent the idea, Plantronics posted a description of it on IP.com, a Web site that enables inventors to establish an idea’s legal existence ÷ a concept known as prior art in patent law. By putting its design in the public domain, Plantronics sought to prevent competitors from patenting it.” 
[Scripting News]
This is definately one way
