i think the EFF take the right approach here - software patents do actually make sense, sometimes. patents are good at protecting individuals/small businesses

i think the EFF take the right approach here - software patents do actually make sense, sometimes. patents are good at protecting individuals/small businesses from being crushed by larger companies (assuming they can secure patents for their ideas) however, the system is nonsensical when large organizations have literally millions of patents, for the vaguest of concepts/ideas (google: patent for round transportation aid, or the like), which end up in legal action, the outcome of which is irrelevant because the fees involved for the smaller party are insurmountable. then you have companies like ATI and nVidia, who's graphics drivers probably break an uncountably large number of each others patents - we're then in a position where open source is totally out of the question. certainly, something must be done about patents, but the nullification of all software patents past present and future? that would stifle innovation as much, if not more, than the current system.