a computer program is not a patentable invention

On Tue, 20 Apr 2010 23:44:21 +0200, David Brown
<david.brown@hesbynett.removethisbit.no> wrote:

>Jon Kirwan wrote:
>> On Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:23:48 -0400, Walter Banks
>> <walter@bytecraft.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> David Brown wrote:
>>>
>>>> The main point in this thread is that software patents are unnecessary -
>>>> copyright forms a far better platform for protecting the developers'
>>>> rights - and that software patents are directly harmful to developers,
>>>> innovators, small companies, and therefore consumers.
>>> I think that software patents are unnecessary mostly because they
>>> have not been an effective method of encouraging innovation and
>>> protecting IP.
>> 
>> But don't they appear to have played and still play a role
>> amongst large companies with deep pockets?  I remember quite
>> a large payout by Microsoft.
>
>Yes, software patents play a role in the USA - especially amongst large 
>companies.

And amongst smaller companies if the leave the "living in the
cracks" and start looking like they are muscling into more
profitable territory.

>But patents were designed, as Walter says, to encourage 
>innovation and to protect IP,

***were*** designed.  I think that is long gone.

>neither of which is at issue in the 
>majority of cases (though patent owners /claim/ they are defending 
>"their" IP.  The role played by software patents does neither - it's a 
>protection racket to squeeze licence fees out of people and sue those 
>who don't quietly pay up.
>
>There's a reason companies whose businesses revolve around patents are 
>known as "patent trolls".  And it's not because trolls are renowned for 
>being innovative or protective.

Yes.

Jon

In message <ca2ss591nq7rdhspjgmmgchd9vt97ipcpj@4ax.com>, Jon Kirwan
<jonk@infinitefactors.org> writes
>On Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:23:48 -0400, Walter Banks
><walter@bytecraft.com> wrote:
>
>>David Brown wrote:
>>
>>> The main point in this thread is that software patents are unnecessary -
>>> copyright forms a far better platform for protecting the developers'
>>> rights - and that software patents are directly harmful to developers,
>>> innovators, small companies, and therefore consumers.
>>
>>I think that software patents are unnecessary mostly because they
>>have not been an effective method of encouraging innovation and
>>protecting IP.
>
>But don't they appear to have played and still play a role
>amongst large companies with deep pockets?  I remember quite
>a large payout by Microsoft.

Only in the USA.  I don't thing SW patents are used anywhere else. IT is
also why they never will be.

-- 
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
\/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills  Staffs  England     /\/\/\/\/
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/