Re: [Patents] Re: Re: You have rights.. Software Patents are Illegal

[Flemming Bjerke <flem@bjerke.dk>]

Torsdag 20 maj 2004 10:34 wrote Simo Sorce about Re: [Patents] Re: Re:  You 
have rights.. Software Patents are Illegal:
> On Wed, 2004-05-19 at 21:47, Flemming Bjerke wrote:
> > Onsdag den 19. maj 09:50 skrev Simo Sorce:
> > > Are you saying that the brain is not purely material/physical ??
> >
> > Well, I simply avoided that question. (I think it goes to far astray to
> > treat it here, and you should not try to answer all questions that may be
> > raised by the matter.)
>
> Well I do not understand why it matters that a computer is conscious or
> not in regard to the argument being treated on this list.

I agree. Actually, my point is that we should not base our arguments against 
software patent on philosophical considerations about the relation between 
mind and matter. 
>
> > I fully agree concerning the contextuality of information, but this does
> > not contradict the assertion: There is no infomation, if there is no
> > carrier. (A statement I only have maintained in connection with
> > computers. But, I have also marked that even in humans it not a statement
> > that is simple to contest.)
>
> Ok I may accept the statement, the same way I can say that when there's
> no light nothing exist because I can't see it, but anyway I do not get
> your point.

My point is that if you define technology as the use of natural forces for 
some purpose, software on a computer is nothing but technology. I.e. you 
can't argue against software patents by saying that since software is not 
matter, it is not technology. But, you may define technology so that it does 
comprise handling of information. Cf. the EU-parlament's amendment art. 2a.

Flemming