I'm not convinced about the drugs argument, there is plenty of evidence that the chemical and medical industries have worked very well without patents in the pa

I'm not convinced about the drugs argument, there is plenty of evidence that the chemical and medical industries have worked very well without patents in the past. See also this about patents in the pharmaceutical industry: http://levine.sscnet.ucla.edu/papers/ip.ch.9.m1004.pdf http://levine.sscnet.ucla.edu/papers/ip.ch.9.m1004.pdf In any case, what is beyond all doubt and all question is that patents in the software industry are a totally insane and extremely harmful thing, and is only getting worse.