4 ms·
Let's not pussyfoot around then. Let's enforce software patents rigorously, and do it retroactively. Now we can make it easy on ourselves and cut a single cheq
by craigsmansion 7y ago
Let's not pussyfoot around then. Let's enforce software patents rigorously, and do it retroactively.
Now we can make it easy on ourselves and cut a single cheque of what amounts to basically all the value in the world to Don Knuth. I'm sure he can pass various bits on to the other stake holders.
Congratulations:
- The technology company you work for is now out of business, you're jobless.
- Don Knuth is now Emperor of the planet.
...
which sounds like a pretty good state of affairs, really. Satire isn't supposed to end up like that.
However, bottom line remains: no one who would be a real stakeholder in the field is in favour of software patents. Software is mathematical; again, no experts have ever argued software isn't mathematics, almost by definition.
- Tomte 7y agoKnuth did invent many algorithms, but it's still a miniscule part of his oeuvre. Knuth is so fundamental to computer science, because he sighted, assessed, categorized and published the main body of the field. That's curation, not invention.
- jacques_chester 7y agoI'm a stakeholder in the field, I'm in favour of software patents in general with allowance for the need for ongoing reform and improvement. Unless I'm not a real stakeholder. What's the definition of that?