From an ethical standpoint I don't believe for the most part in software patents period, let alone patenting something of a much purer form like a mathematical

From an ethical standpoint I don't believe for the most part in software patents period, let alone patenting something of a much purer form like a mathematical formula or an algorithm. Many will disagree but in general free information is a classical tenant of hackers. If you've looked into the legal circumstances and it seems OK, I say make hay while the sun shines.