Re: US patent reform strategy inaugurated by myths & lies

[Andrey Khavryuchenko <akhavr@kds.com.ua>]

Gregory,

[Huge CC list trimmed to the original mailing list]

"GA" == Gregory Aharonian wrote:

 GA> Andrey writes about software patents:
 >> I recognize them as a threat and I oppose them.

 GA> But there are many economic threats to software developers and the
 GA> software industries.  If software patents are not high on the list
 GA> of real risks, wouldn't it be better to put your energies to more
 GA> important threats?  Indeed, on the lists of threats to the economics
 GA> of software businesses, how high is the economic problem of software
 GA> patents?  I have never seen such a list, and would be interested.

I suppose you're talking about me.

I _am_ putting much more energy to more important issues of my business.
Nevertheless, given much increased attention to copyright issues with
surrounding hysteria and FUD from big players (RIAA, BSA), I recognize
that, using my forces alone, I can do nothing against the threats.  

Living in country with nearly absent tradition of personal freedom, I feel
very sensitive to every force that tries to limit it.  Including
monopolies, supported by government force: copyrights and patents.

Given that, 
 (1) taken to the logical extent, (C) and patents will make impossible for
     me to do the work that I love and,
 (2) as I've said earlier, I can do nearly nothing being alone,
I see the urging need to spread that meme among as much people as possible.

That meme is:
        All monopolies are evil.

Monopoly to use force (incl. military), economical monopoly, cultural
monopoly and knowledge monopoly, caused by copyrights and patents.

All these are created to patch the failures of society.  But that doesn't
make them better, as there'll *always* be the desire to misuse the power to
profit few at the cost of all.

And final note.  If you're looking for *proof* that software patents are
evil, you're, by definition, looking into the past.  Isn't it better to
prevent disease, instead of curing it?

-- 
Andrey V Khavryuchenko          http://www.kds.com.ua/
Offshore Software Development