Re: [Patents] computer.org article

[Roberto Micarelli <mi.ro@iol.it>]

On Monday 03 June 2002 16:48, Philippe Coulonges wrote:
> Le Lundi 03 Juin 2002 04:59, Gregory Aharonian a écrit :
> > >No. With only a 1000$ machine, ten fingers and my brain I can design
> > > software, realize a prototype, test it, fine tune it, distribute it.
> > > That's not true with hardware.
> >
> > With only a 1000$ machine, ten fingers and my brain I can design hardware
> > (using open source CAE tools), test it, fine tune it, and distribute the
> > VHDL (or similar code) for others to load into their FPGAs coprocessor
> > boards.  Indeed, the selling of hardware designs is a hundred million
> > dollar a year business (such as processor cores and network chips).  Not
> > once do the hardware designers ever get physical.  They are too busy
> > trying to make money and run a business.
>
> You're still wrong.
> I'll pass on the fact that you restricted your claim from 'conceiving
> hardware' to 'conceiving electronic hardware'.
> I'll pass on the fact that you put yourself in the glorious word where free
> software exists at no cost (and not open source which doesn't mean a thing
> in that context), which in itself calls for a world without swpats.
> Still, a young and talented person could certainly design a brilliant piece
> of work, but he certainly would not pass the prototype, test, fine tuning
> and distribution parts with its 1000$ budget. He could simulate, but not
> realize a thing. He will have a hell of a day trying to convince
> enterprises to get him a chance to see his work functionning in the real
> world.
> Unless he is willing to pay. Physical things need a capitalistic approach
> not needed in the information business.
>

I agree with the last. Sw development is possible at low cost. The game is 
not played only in the field of 'technicism' but also on more general issues. 
I agree with those who talk about the freedom of expression problem. Who is 
designing new laws should keep in mind that a social model stays at the base 
of our world. In this social model there are rights delivered to 
*individuals*. This is a structural feature, not an option. If they get 
rights from individuals and redistribute them to companies, the system will 
go down.

Regards.