[Patents] public interest and appropriation instinct

[Francois PELLEGRINI pelegrin@labri.u-bordeaux.fr]

Gregory Aharonian wrote:
> (and like it or not, the GPL also restricts
> the freedom of programmers as well)

       It prevents them from hiding what has been given
in open access to them. Honestly, the bargain seems fair,
in terms of benefit/constraint ratio.
       What bothers you with the GPL?

 
> In terms of loss of freedom (which is a mostly unsubstantiated
> charge leveled against software patents), biotech researchers
> and developers probably suffer more loss of freedom than software
> engineers.

       Please stop. My Kleenex box is empty.

 
> Nothing beign stated here is rigorous enough to differentiate the
> patentability of software from any other form of technology -

       On the contrary: the almost-zero-cost of copying, which makes
returns on investments much faster, and thus lowers the need for
patents on the return-on-investment basis.
       With software, I can give and not be deprived. Can you do
that with your car, or your drugs?

> All of the arguments here then against software patents are equally
> applicable to all other fields of technology, making these arguments
> against the patent system as a whole.  That is an interesting argument
> to make, which none of you have the guts to make, instead hiding
> behind the banner of anti-software patenting.  And frankly, I think
> many of you don't even like copyrights as well, which also restrict
> freedom as well.   Heck, why not take it all the way and argue
> against all forms of private property?  Oh yes, they tried that in
> Europe, and it failed miserably.  I guess we Americans get to
> watch you guys do it all over again.  Pass the buttered popcorn.

       This one is really the best!

       Mr Aharonain, wearing a Captain America's outfit outside of
Halloween parties is not the best way to get respect, especially when
it is too large for you. And eating buttered popcorn is not a good
way to strive filling it.

       To point it further, as I would not like to be mistaken for a
"hypocrite" again: manicheism is a doctrin that has been abandoned more
than a thoudsand years ago. Life is complex, and people that do not
agree with you are not necessarily enemies; by forgetting this, some
people turned into integrists.
       People on this newsgroup are people that discuss on the need
or lack of need of *software* patents only, with argumented pros and
cons. No Molotov cocktail recipies, no Great Night plans, sorry. So
if you want to contribute on these aspects, OK. Else, write to
alt.conspiracy .


       Happy new year,



                                                f.p.