From srctran@world.std.com  Tue Dec 12 20:15:15 2000
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 15:15:15 -0500 (EST)
From: Gregory Aharonian srctran@world.std.com
Subject: -- [Patents] Re: BT and Hyperlink patent

>Thus demonstrating that invalid or dubious patents (since there are so
>many of them) are just as much as a menace as valid ones (in terms of
>causing hassles).

I completely agree.  But once again this problem of software patents
also happens in other areas of technology.  It is not a basis to treat
software patents differently.  In fact, I suspect the biotechnology
industry suffers more than the software industry.  Bad patents are
inexcusable.  In all fields, including software.  So let's get the
patent offices to improve the quality of their examination operations.

Greg Aharonian




