[Patents] Re: what rules promote progress?

[Bernard Lang <Bernard.Lang@inria.fr> (Bernard Lang)]

On Wed, Jul 25, 2001 at 02:05:49PM -0400, Gregory Aharonian wrote:
> 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?

and you have the gall to call yourself a scientist ...

That is one of the most stupid false-inference one can make about a
complex system.


> 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.

I just never understood why the USA is so keen on sharing with us, and
with the rest of the world (like South Africa and Brasil and Jordan)
this incredible competitive advantage.

  You are such a nice people.  Always caring, always sharing.  Even
Iraki children sing prayers to your benevolence every night.

Bernard

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