[Patents] Ethics

[Edward Avis epa98@doc.ic.ac.uk]

>From: Gregory Aharonian <srctran@world.std.com>
>Subject: Re: [Patents] economic studies

>>Most people on this list are just concerned with software and perhaps
>>"the informational", but don't have a strong opinion on patents in general.
>
>Which I argue is an unethical point of view.

Patent law is not decided on the basis of ethics.  It is there to
promote progress and innovation - as for all forms of IP law.  This
requirement is stated explicitly in the US's Constitution and the same
criterion should surely apply elsewhere.  Unless you regard the patent
system as worth creating for its own sake.

>There are enough similarities between the technology of software, and
>the technologies of other sciences, ethat any policy changes considered
>for software patenting must be considered for other areas of technology
>as well,

Sure, if you want to do that then go ahead.  But the case won't be quite
as easy to argue for those other fields as it is for software.

Can we have an end to this?  If you want to spend your time advocating
reform of the patent system in other areas, please move your discussions
to mailing lists set up for those topics.

Suppose there were a mailing list discussing medical treatments for
ingrowing toenails.  Would you send a message saying that it is
'unethical' to attempt to cure that while much more serious diseases
exist?

Please stop reciting this stuff.

-- 
Ed Avis
epa98@doc.ic.ac.uk