[Patents] Hardware/software codesign

[Robert Bielik Robert.Bielik@gyrosmicro.com]

If at all sw patents should be granted, 3 years I think would be reasonable.
That gives enough time to develop a product based on some patented
technology (normally 1 to 1.5 years), and also to make money out of it.

The problem with non-sw lawyer-based companies whose sole business idea is
to sue other companies would probably diminish as well, since a 3 year
protection wouldn't warrant the risks involved. With 20 years, its a great
business. 

Robert Bielik
SSE
Gyros Microlabs

> By the way, I think that everybody has agreed that on 
> software 20 years doesn't
> make sense, even persons that want to be able to patent software.
> The question would be: how long. 1 year, 3 years? Could be a 
> way for the US to
> start changing their law (ie reducing the duration of protection)
> 
> Didier
>