Suppose I have a green energy thought that can benefit the human kind when it is implemented. Suppose it works. I do not necessarily want to benefit from it materially but rather want the public to use it without any private company monopolizing the design.

Can I file an “Open source” – like patent? Do I just post the thought on the internet? File a fixed patent that expires in 1 month?

How about other companies that would want to file their private patents on top of this public patent? Will they be able to do so ? Can it be required that, like with open source license, anyone who makes further designs has to contribute them back to public?

Place in other words: what is the best way to set up incentives so that the thought is picked up, implemented, built on top of, but not abused by some private party? What legal tools are available to an individual with not a lot of money?
Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by Ancient guy 124
Your thought is commendable, but, Read the sections in this website it should answer most of your questions. Unfortunately there is now way you can keep improvementst to your thought from being patented as any invention can be patented.

What do you reflect? Answer not more than!