Software patents

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Article #1197

#1197

From: Malcolm McMahon
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1998 00:00

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On 10 Oct 1998 02:52:00 -0400, Maciej Stachowiak <mstachow@mit.edu>
wrote:

>* The means of performing a computation is mathematical knowledge.
>
>* Any possible scope of a "software patent" is a means of performing a
>computation. All computations that can be performed by a computer are
>mathematical, whether or not you express them that way. Inside, the
>computer is just pushing bits.
>
>* Therefore software is mathematical knowledge.
>
>* Therefore software patents ought not be permitted.
>

My objection to software patents is a more practical one. Software is an
activity where millions of people are "inventing". A software patent
could apply to four lines of code in a million line program.

It's simply impossible for a programmer to check that he or she hasn't
unwittingly trampled on one or more patents in writing a program. It
would turn programming into a legal minefield. Every two man software
house would need its own patent lawyer, and even then they'd still be at
constant risk of lawsuits.

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From: malcolm@pigsty.demon.co.uk (Malcolm McMahon)
Subject: Software patents
Date: 1998/10/10
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