[Patents] No point in everybody agreeing in a discussion

[srctran@world.std.com (Gregory Aharonian)]

>The real problem is that patents are accepted for so easy ideas, that
>it is quite likely that someone came before with the same idea.

ANd I will repeat, this is yet another problem that software patents
share with other areas of technology.  It is a complaint made about
all of the gene sequence patents (isn't esy to use computers to
automatically sequence the genome?).  Then take a look at lots of
the mechanical inventions, especially those submitted by independent
inventors.  Most are easy improvements to existing mechanical devices.

So even if you could come up with an objective definition of "easy"
(right after you come up with an objective definition of "technical
effect"), it is a definition "easily" applicable to all areas of
technology, not just software.

Once again there is nothing special about software - stop worshipping
it.  Let's fix the examination process for all areas of technology
(and for the idiots on the list - fixing the examination process would
cut down on the bad patents issuing which would cut down on my
business, and yet I still argue that is what we should do.  Hartmut
can have fun trying to find a reason why arguing something that cuts
down on my business actually is a hidden effort to increse my business).

Greg Aharonian