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Xref: sserve comp.org.eff.talk:9576 misc.int-property:647 comp.unix.bsd:7011 Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk,misc.int-property,alt.suit.att-bsdi,comp.unix.bsd Path: sserve!manuel.anu.edu.au!munnari.oz.au!sgiblab!darwin.sura.net!paladin.american.edu!news.univie.ac.at!hp4at!mcsun!sunic!psinntp!psinntp!ficc!peter From: peter@ferranti.com (peter da silva) Subject: Re: Patents: What they are. What they aren't. Other factors. Message-ID: <id.R3AU.4ZF@ferranti.com> Organization: Xenix Support, FICC References: <1992Oct18.085201.22747@fcom.cc.utah.edu> <id.X18U.D6J@ferranti.com> <1992Oct20.201929.3183@fcom.cc.utah.edu> Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1992 14:31:45 GMT Lines: 24 In article <1992Oct20.201929.3183@fcom.cc.utah.edu> terry@cs.weber.edu (A Wizard of Earth C) writes: > I think the argument against software patents is required to show deleterious > effects of patent law. Here, Peter claims "The rate of innovation in the > software community is simply amazing". Perhaps the reason "no intervention > ... to encourage the creation or publication of new algorithms" is necessary > is *because* software patents make it more cost effective to innovate than > to license? Now THIS is pretty far out. You're claiming that the new situation (software patents) explains the preexisting condition (a high rate of innovation). There's this little thing called "cause and effect". Effects do not precede causes. > When was the last time you saw a new design for a sheet metal screw? About 6 months ago, when I assembled the kids' swing set. It had a built in lock nut and a nylon bearing. I'm pretty sure that technology itself (integral nylon bearings) is fairly new... -- Peter da Silva `-_-' Ferranti Intl. Ctls. Corp. 'U` Sugar Land, TX 77487-5012 "Heeft u vandaag al uw wolf geknuffeld?" +1 713 274 5180 "Tjener, denne ret er stadig levende."