[Patents] Software Patents makes no sense and is dangerous for innovation in the software industry

[Jean Ferré jean.ferre@arisem.com]

ARISEM is a 3 years old Paris based software company specialised in=20
information and knowledge management server systems. ARISEM created one =
of=20
the first meta-searcher on the Web : DigOut4U (1997 IDG Internet =
Innovation=20
award)

We strongly believe at ARISEM that software just like ideas should not =
be=20
patentable. If this became the rule, it would become very difficult for=20
company like ours to emerge.
How could we generate innovation if every idea, every algorithm, every=20
implementation in the code needed to be checked as being patent-free. =
How=20
could we develop ourselves if every week or so we needed to apply for a=20
patent. Software patents are not a necessity to protect innovation in =
the=20
software industry (branding, expertise, fast development and innovation=20
make this much better), software patents are more a mean to create an=20
artificial entrance barrier.

For ARISEM, a patent free software industry is necessary for innovation =
to=20
stay possible for small and medium organisations. Moreover, it seems=20
obvious to us that patent enforcement would slow down the expansion and=20
development of information technologies. This would be damageable for=20
humanity as a whole and for our industry.

We - in the software industry - work hard to create a better world for=20
people that will be able to share ideas, information and knowledge. We =
at=20
ARISEM believe that software patent enforcement would ruin all this and=20
only create additional lines of profit for law firms.

Jean Ferr=E9 - CEO
ARISEM
131, rue Saint Denis
75001 Paris - FRANCE
T=E9l - 33-1 44 88 99 66
Fax- 33-1 44 88 99 69
E-mail: jean.ferre@arisem.com
http://www.arisem.com