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Well there's subtle but important differences between patents in general, and patents as they have been abused regarding software. There's also copyright and t
by lambdasquirrel 15y ago
Well there's subtle but important differences between patents in general, and patents as they have been abused regarding software.
There's also copyright and trade secrets. Namely, if someone swipes your code here in the US, and you can prove it, it's considered pretty trivial to bring them to court. This apparently not the case in China.
My take on software patents is that they aren't analogous to real-world engineering patents, for, say, a BMW engine. The analogy from BMW engine patents to software is more like copyright on the code itself. Software patents as they are now seem more like business process patents.
- sliverstorm 15y agoSpot-on. In the general case, patents do appear to serve their purpose in the US. It is not a perfect system, (see: software patents) but it is without a doubt superior to a total lack of IP protection.
- dantheman 15y agoHow is it without a doubt superior? There are cases where innovation only takes off after the patent has expired. We don't know what the world would look like without IP protection, it may be better it may be worse but we just don't know.