From steve.probert@patent.gov.uk  Thu Oct 12 08:49:33 2000
Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 09:49:33 +0100
From: Steve Probert steve.probert@patent.gov.uk
Subject: [Patents] why the problem arises in the software field

>The problem is real and the software "industry" is not young. 

When I said the software industry is young, I was referring to the fact that it was barely in its infancy when the EPC and most national patent laws were written.  The EPC was completed in 1973 - 8 years (?) before the first PC.  What did software look like in 1973?  Who was using computer programs then, and for what purpose?

Steve Probert
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         




