Re: [Patents] newsscan: Software patent limits 'go too far'

[Russell McOrmond <russell@flora.ca>]

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003, James Heald wrote:

> Patents are supposed to be about allowing a return on an investment, to 
> encourage innovation.
> 
> Copyright does this for computer programs, so patents aren't needed.

  This argument doesn't take you far, and should be avoided as it can be 
argued against easily.

  If you write down a clear description of your patentable method (say on
your patent application ;-), the expression of your method description is
then under copyright.  That does not mean that since this description of
your method is under copyright that you no longer need an exclusive right 
on your method.

---
 Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/> 
 Governance software that controls ICT, automates government policy, or
 electronically counts votes, shouldn't be bought any more than 
 politicians should be bought.  -- http://www.flora.ca/russell/