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

[Russell McOrmond <russell@flora.ca>]

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003, Bernard Lang wrote:

>   - it can be discovered by many people independently ... hence no one
> is stealing

  If something is discovered independantly then there should be questions 
as to whether the useful,novel,unobvious tests were adequate.  Independant 
invention should not only become a defence in patent law, but it should 
become justification for the cancelation of an already granted patent.

>   - it can be invented by 2 people about the same time (there are even
> riules to determine who then gets the patents, that are different in
> the US and in Europe)

  Ditto above.  The current rules are clearly improper, but the baby need
not be thrown out with the bathwater.

> But of course, Mr Anonymous Coward <old.timer@tiscali.co.uk>  wrote
> this only to waste our time and confuse the issues.

  By the way, it is possible to disagree (even strongly) with someone 
without getting personal about their name or other attributes having 
nothing to do with the content of a discussion.

---
 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/