From jtobey@john-edwin-tobey.org  Wed Dec 27 20:23:35 2000
Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 15:23:35 -0500 (EST)
From: John Tobey jtobey@john-edwin-tobey.org
Subject: [Patents] patent pools enforcing per-copy-licensing mode
 of software development

Gregory Aharonian <srctran@world.std.com> wrote:

> Wrong - SOME economists do not think that software patents help.  Some
> economists DO think software patents help (in the sense that they think
> venture capital helps software development, and patents are one tool 
> that venture capitalists make use of to protect their investments).

I'd like to know whether these economists have had second thoughts in
the wake of the tech stock crash.  American venture capitalists'
romance with software ended this year.  Perhaps they realized that
patents don't work for this purpose.

Best.
-John




