From phm@a2e.de  Fri Dec 15 01:45:26 2000
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 02:45:26 +0100 (CET)
From: PILCH Hartmut phm@a2e.de
Subject: [Patents] Re. Prior Use

> But is development being hindered?  NO NO.  

This assertion is just ridiculous in view of everything we have been
reading on this mailing list.
Also, it is even theoretically absurd.  To the extent that development
isn't hindered by patents, patents are failing to fulfill their purpose.

> Are there less companies being formed?  NO NO.  

Nobody said anything about the number of companies.
Only about the kind of companies.
I happen to know quite a lot of companies that are discouraged and scared
by software patents.

> Is everyone experiencing the same problems other patented industries
> face?  YES YES.

Is this assertion meant to be trivial tautologies or megalomaniac
bullshit?
I mean:  are you saying that there are some parallels in the problems
experienced, or are you saying that you know all fields well enough to
make a thourough comparison of all aspects?  In the latter case, could you
tell me how opensource drugs are affected by patents?  What about oil
drilling companies consisting of 1-3 developpers?   Or automobile makers
who let you download their cars for free?

In either case, the comparison is irrelevant to the discussion in this
forum.  For reasons explained too many times already.

-phm






