From wollny@cns.mpg.de Tue, 15 Feb 2000 00:54:32 +0100 (CET)
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2000 00:54:32 +0100 (CET)
From: wollny wollny@cns.mpg.de
Subject: [Patents] Re: [Patents] Re: [Patents] Patent problem

Hello Juhana,

just my $0.02 ...

On Mon, 14 Feb 2000, Juhana Sadeharju wrote:
> 
> Software patents are okay, 
... for the PO, patent laywers and maybe big coorps. 

But sure they do nothing good to free software:

If you want to licence something your licence fee usally will depend on
the number of units using the patented technologie you distribute  - 
how will you estimate that number  with free software - everyone is
allowed to redistribute it? And a licence for unlimited distribution sure 
will be lots to expensive (esp. for a author of free software). 

If you want to patent some software idea, you will have to pay the PO.
But as an individual or small company you will not be able to track the usage of
your idea because of the lack of time and money. And, if your patent is
not ui-specific you will even have the problem that you can not
see (and prove), that someone viloates your patent with a closed source
software. So you can only go after the creators of free software. 
At the best you can use your patent for crosslicencing is someone sues
you and the PO and Laywers are ROFL with your money in the pocket.


And now my eyes are wide open to read from you, why software patents are
okay ...

Sorry, I really don't get it.

Best regards

/Gert Wollny





