[Patents] Re: [Patents] Re: Just trying to clear-up some possible miscomprehensions

[Jesus M. Gonzalez jgb@gsyc.inf.uc3m.es]

simeon williamson writes:
 > > It is sure illegal to sell and distribute binaries but
 > > the source code is 'just' an example of how to implement it.
 > 
 > The source code can infringe a patent just as well as the binary.

        As long as I know, you can publish a book describing in any
extent a patented work (algoritm, program or whatever). At the end,
that's what patents are about: restricting the usage, promoting
knowledge.

         Where is the difference with publising only the source code,
without the rest of the book?

        On the other hand, at least in the US, the source code seems
to be considered as speech, and therefore, I cannot see how patent law 
can contradict free speech in the US, and probably in
Europe... (though probably I'm oversimplificating here)

                Jesus.

-- 
Jesus M. Gonzalez Barahona             | Departamento de Informatica
tel +3491 624 9458, fax +3491 624 9129 | Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
jgb@gsyc.inf.uc3m.es, jgb@computer.org | avd. Universidad, 30
Grupo de Sistemas y Comunicaciones     | 28911 Leganes, Spain