From steve.probert@patent.gov.uk  Wed Oct 11 09:08:49 2000
Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 10:08:49 +0100
From: Steve Probert steve.probert@patent.gov.uk
Subject: [Patents] Some remarks on Vol 1 #284

>The whole thing is about software patents; I'm not aware of any other
>field where this is that much of a problem. 

You might be before too long.  The problem (?) in this area arises because the software industry is still relatively young, and because (in general) it has been slow to realise that patents are available to protect certain inventions in the programming field (eg. those that produce, or are capable of producing, a technical effect).  Consequently programmers have traditionally not been concerned about whether their programs infringe a patent.  We may see a similar reaction from other sectors if some of the currently excluded fields (eg business methods) are brought into the patent system.

Steve Probert
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             




