[Patents] Re: Article: Softwarepatents - No thanks! - From SSLUG.DK

[Bernard Lang Bernard.Lang@inria.fr]

Nice article ...

  while reading it, I wondered if the average person understands what
is at stakes, and why it benefits the larger companies.

   Trying to find an image they would relate to, I thought of power
balance between nations.

   Patents are weapons aimed at other companies.  Having a patent does
not garantee that you can produce something (you may need other
resources, possibly other patents), but it garantees that you can
prevent someone else from doing it.
   Actually there have been cases of companies acquiring a patent so
as to kiil a technology that would compete with their installed based.
(though I do not remembre the exact cases).

    comin back to nations, they all struggle to attain some form of
power through their defence (attack) system.  But clearly those who
dominate in thoses terms can impose their will to all others.
   US and Soviet Union had a large defense portofolio, and they
balanced each other, while they could impose their will on countries
with smaller defense portofolios.

   I am just wondering whether some easily understandable argument
could be developed along those lines.

--

other point:

  I believe the stronger point we have in our favor is that none of
those who wish to patent software have done a serious study :
involving economic, innovation and societal issues.

  That is completely irrational and irresponsible.


Bernard


On Sun, Oct 01, 2000 at 11:06:58PM +0200, Anne Østergaard wrote:
> Hello Eurolinux-list & Patents-list!
> 
> SSLUG in Denmark has been using this article for publication in the
> Danish newspaper "Information" on September 1st 2000 and in the Finnish
> newspaper "Hufvudstadsbladet" on September 15th 2000.
> 
> I send it to you for your information and to use in an English, Danish
> and Swedish version.
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> English version:
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Software patents - No thanks!
> 
> This is an elaborated version of an article originally published in the
> Danish newspaper 'Information' on September 1. 2000.
> 

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