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Message-ID: <40A4ABFB.5090505@labri.fr>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 13:22:35 +0200
From: Francois PELLEGRINI <pelegrin@labri.fr>
Organization: INRIA & LaBRI, Universite Bordeaux I
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To: Flemming Bjerke <flem@bjerke.dk>
Cc: patents@aful.org
Subject: Re: [Patents] You have rights.. Software Patents are Illegal
References: <200405091627.MAA01641@world.std.com> <200405140951.27031.flem@bjerke.dk> <20040514080700.GC5473@debian> <200405141123.42837.flem@bjerke.dk>
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Flemming Bjerke wrote:
> Fredag 14 maj 2004 10:07 wrote Olivier Laurent about Re: [Patents] You have 
> rights.. Software Patents are Illegal:
> 
>>I dont agree. When your video tape recorder plays "Matrix reloaded",
>>there is a 'technique' involved but "Matrix reloaded" is protected by
>>copyright and not patents, right ?
> 
> 
> Yes, but that doesn't prevent you patenting the "technical" elements involved.

These "technical" elements are hardware.
The software which operates the VCR only
manipulates symbolic information, which has
no technical effects in itself. It is when
these symbolic information is turned into
material actions, by means of (patentable)
peripherals, that technical effects may occur.

Within the computer, material aspects of the
coding of information are a means. Outside of the
software part, that is, within the VCR hardware,
it is the end, and thus is patentable.

You can always run the same software on a simulator/emulator,
and get the very same behaviour of the software, without
generating any technical effect. Therefore, Software is NOT
technical. Period.

				f.p.


