software patents

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 12:49 pm

http://www.nosoftwarepatents.com/en/m/intro/index.html

http://www.nosoftwarepatents.com/en/m/i ... plain.html

Curious to see whta people think

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 1:11 pm

I believe in copyrighting software. (Code and layout.)

I have a big problem with software patents. The most mundane ideas, processes, and structures will be "patented up" and legally protected as intellectual property rights - effectively making all of us pay-per-use or pay-per-license pawns of everything we use.

If you want a good read - head on over to the U.S. Patents and Trademark website: www.uspto.gov

Just take a gander at the latest patents that were filed this year. Some are clever - most seem to be dishonest attempts at patenting public domain ideas and procedures.

gmc wrote: http://www.nosoftwarepatents.com/en/m/intro/index.html

http://www.nosoftwarepatents.com/en/m/i ... plain.html

Curious to see what people think

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 2:27 am

"Chances are that patents on software, common practice in the US and on the brink of being legalised in Europe, in fact stifle innovation. Europe could still alter course."

Deutsche Bank Research

Without software patents, Europe could save costs, foster innovation, enhance security, and create jobs. Thanks to Linux and other open-source software, Europe has the chance to gain independence from Microsoft and other large American companies. However, if the EU allows software patents, then that's the beginning of the end for Linux. Not only for Linux. It's just a prominent example.

It would be a pity if it fell in to a us versus europe thing, big corporations are supranational letting them away with too much is not good whetever their nationality. While we are squabbling about two thirds of the world are buying in to linux in a big way,