From Robert.Bielik@gyrosmicro.com  Fri May  4 08:59:46 2001
From: Robert.Bielik@gyrosmicro.com (Robert Bielik)
Date: Fri, 4 May 2001 09:59:46 +0200
Subject: [Patents] Bruce Perens: ...
Message-ID: <12195A9A70F4D940BD8F8E5EF6F8352A271036@seuppms01.ad-gyrosmicro.com>

Greg wrote:
>Patents are meant to encourage (for whatever incentive) new and
>non-obvious technology.   PERIOD.

Sorry Greg. I have a patent for using "PERIOD." in postings on the internet.
Please withdraw all your postings containing "PERIOD." or expect a lawsuit
in the near future *

*) The statement above I've just made is as "bizarre" as most software
patents are.

Yet Greg inists on having software patentable. Then also things like using
"PERIOD." in postings would also have to be patentable (where it not for the
non-obviousness ;-) since a distinction against non-patentability would be
impossible.
He is also a grand paradox, since being against all patents (so he implies
by saying that all patentable technologies experience the same difficulties)
he is still SO keen on having software patentable (???).

Greg may be right that patentability have never regarded production costs as
a factor, however the benefit to society for something to be patentable
should indeed regard production costs. Not taking that into account is
just... well... sick. And the benefit is NONE.

Frankly Greg, I don't know what makes you tick.
 
/Robert Bielik
Software Engineer


