Disapprove of software patents, PERIOD.

I strongly object to the whole concept of software patents and support
efforts to eliminate them at the legislative level.  A common sentiment in
the software industry is that nothing totally new is ever written. 
Different methods of achieving an objective are devised but this is in the
realm of copyright and not patent.  Never is something truly unique enough
to warrant a 'patent'.

I realize the need arrives from time to time to compromise on issues. 
However, I cannot support a 'standard' that acknowledges ANY support for
the concept of software patents.  No standard would be better than a
standard built upon a fallacy that acknowledges software patents, even in a
diluted acknowledgement such as is currently being proposed.

If the patent holders really felt that strongly about their patents then
they would not want to foist them off on a standards process.  The goal of
their participation is to manipulate the standards process for their own
financial gain.  I have no problem with THEIR attempts to do this.  I do
have a problem in the W3C aiding and abetting in an monopolistic process
that perpetuates something that should not exist (e.g. software patents).

-- 
Michael J. Upchurch
Partner2Partner Communications, LLC

Received on Thursday, 2 January 2003 14:04:36 UTC