[Patents] Re: Patents digest, Vol 1 #478 - 9 msgs

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

>From: Gregory Aharonian <srctran@world.std.com>

>Subject: [Patents] 8 hardware questions thanks to Hartmut's 8 software
>          questions
>
>Hartmut just posed 8 questions.  Here are logically equivalent
>questions:
>
>    1. In how many % of the 30000+ hardware patents granted so far by the
>       EPO is the claimed contribution to technological progress so
>       precious, that it could be worthwhile for us as lawmakers to
>       reward this contribution by granting a 20 year monopoly?

[more questions in similar vein snipped]

I don't get it.  Are you trying to say that because there are already
some problems with the patent system, it is therefore a good idea to
spread those problems to other areas too (where IMHO they would be
worse)?

Would you argue that we should ignore any arguments about the safety of
medicines while cigarettes remain on sale?

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