[Patents] Re: what rules promote progress?

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

Hartmut asks:
> Which rules do really promote the progress of science and the useful arts?

To the extent that the American economy is the leading economy of the world,
and that the US patent system is a well functioning part of that economy -
the answer to your question is easy - the patent rules really do promote
(to some extent) the progress of science and the useful arts?

Sure, we have to improve the quality of the patent examination process -
but the rules themselves at least have done America quite well.  Maybe
that's why European powers are doing what they are doing with changing
their patent laws - not because of some sinister nefarious scheming -
but rather to become more competitive with the American economy and its
patent system.

If software patents are so bad to the software industry, you would think
then that the US software industry would be in disasterous shape, unable
to compete anywhere.  Quite the opposite.  And unable innovate.  Again,
quite the opposite.

Software, hardware, biotech, electronics, chemicals - all equally
patentable, all benefitting to some extent because of patents.  Could
the system be better?  Sure, and by improving patent quality, most of
these debates based on silly and crappy patents disappear.

It'ss a shame Hartmut you don't put your many energies into improving
the quality of issued patents.  It might actuall help change things.

Greg Aharonian