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

[Hartmut Pilch <phm@a2e.de>]

> > 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.

Then it also doesn't matter whether the representation of information in 
the computer is physical or not.

We have an abstract immaterial structure, and that is what the alleged 
"invention" is about.  The problem is solved before, during its 
implementation on a computer, the world of matter is set foot upon, as the 
german courts have always said.

> 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 guess you have no other choice, because you have a poor ontology.

Probably your system lacks world 3, you are just talking about matter 
(world 1) and mind (world 2), not about the ideas that exist without 
recourse to any mental or physical image of them.

You can of course say the same things with your ontology, and probably for 
you it is best not to talk about matter vs mind, because in your ontology 
that leads to confusion.  But I don't see any argument as to why others 
should adopt your ontology.  

-- 
Hartmut Pilch, FFII & Eurolinux Alliance              tel. +49-89-18979927
Protecting Innovation against Patent Inflation       http://swpat.ffii.org/
330,000 votes 2000 firms against software patents    http://noepatents.org/