3 ms·
IMO, there's not need for a patent on an algorithm to "allow one window to display partially occluding another" or "method to display multiple items on a drop-d
by Tekker 13y ago
IMO, there's not need for a patent on an algorithm to "allow one window to display partially occluding another" or "method to display multiple items on a drop-down menu".
I can understand patenting things like file formats (e.g.: PSD) but general computer operation "controlling tones over a device connected to telephone lines to initiate a connection between a remote computer and a local one" or the more stupid GUI patents or obvious usage patents.
I have no problem if they all go away.
- eurleif 13y ago>I can understand patenting things like file formats (e.g.: PSD) but general computer operation "controlling tones over a device connected to telephone lines to initiate a connection between a remote computer and a local one" The former is a format. The latter sounds like a protocol. Formats should be patentable but protocols shouldn't?
- tbrownaw 13y agoI can understand patenting things like file formats The trouble with this is that file formats (and other communications protocols) have network effects, which greatly amplify the power granted to the patent holder.
- MichaelApproved 13y agoWhat's the difference between a file format and an API? I'm referencing the Oracle Java/Google Android API case.
- derekp7 13y agoI think it's not the file format itself, but the operations it takes to manipulate / transform data to get it into that format.
- hso9791 13y agoPatenting file formats make no sense to me. They are serializations of data, and although it can be convoluted how best to store a given representation of data the component parts must fall within mathematics.