Software patents... Absolute rubbish. Patents were always intended for protection of physical creations or the arts. I wonder how much of the economy is drained each year continuing this horrible system that stifles innovation and creation. I’d guess at least tens of billions, if not a lot more.
Hmmm? Patents stifle innovation?
I agree, but at this point it is something that will take courageous lawmakers to change. Know any courageous lawmakers?
Absolutely agree. Even though this affects microsoft, I’m again’ the ruling. Software patents are garbage that is severely adversely affecting the software industry. This is one of the few industries America still dominates. No wonder the government wants to destroy it.
“Patents were always intended for protection of physical creations or the arts”
Firstly, artworks are copyrighted (or trademarked, if you consider advertising art [and you shouldn’t]), not patented.
More importantly, software is a physical creation, you dope. Or the plans for one, anyway. What, do you think only specific finished whirlygigs are patented? Like the government squirrels away shelves upon shelves of devices in their Raiders of the Lost Ark-esque hidey hole? Please. They patent plans, and software design consist of plans.
“I wonder how much of the economy is drained each year continuing this horrible system that stifles innovation and creation. I’d guess at least tens of billions, if not a lot more.”
Oh yeah, we’re really stuck in an electronics/computer rut. When was the last innovation? like six seconds ago? We should by all rights be down to 3 seconds, damnit! What is this, the Stone Age?!?
“Patents were always intended for protection of physical creations or the arts.”
Wrong. Patents were to protect ideas. Software is an idea.
I think you have that backwards