As a software engineer for the past 12 years, I can safely say that software patents don't do ANYTHING useful.
You can't use them to write code; therefore you can't reproduce the "invention". They are written in legalese, and until they write a legalese compiler, they are useless.
Something that hasn't been touched on is how many open source projects have been closed down by patent threats from large companies. I've seen several projects shut down, but thanks to the EU having more sense than the US in the software world, the projects have sprung back up where the patents are invalid.
Oh yeah, that's another point not touched on: software patents only work in the US. Use the same algorithm as someone else in the EU, no problem. Use that technique in the US, and you have "stolen" someone else�s "technology." And lest we forget, software is a collection of algorithms akin to lists, recipes and mathematical formulas, none of which are patentable.
Uh, yeah, I'm pretty sure the cigarette tax is supposed to discourage people from smoking to cut health care costs, rather than be a money maker in and of itself. I could be wrong, but that's how they explain it in Illinois...
"Every piece of prematurely discarded information could be the footprint of a potential customer or pirate.... This bill ensures that the online footprints of pirates and consumers are not erased, but are preserved for the analysis of my corporate owners"
You're absolutely right. The only way we can ever have a competent police force is if everyone has gone to college for at least 4 years. No one has ever graduated with a Bachelors degree and still been a jerk with a chip on his shoulder.
It's also fortunate that the courses for law and law enforcement are so similar. Why, I bet most officers quit to practice law! You are so right, AC.
I don't think the officer assigned to your school was ignorant of the Miranda act. I think he was blowing off a kid who was clearly trying to annoy him.
Re: Re: Re: No, decline is due to manufacturing has moved to China.
Eli Whitney died pennyless because other people ignored his patent and made cheaper cotton gins that worked better. Holywood is in California because Edison chased them there with patent laws. Two easy examples of how IP laws have NOT worked the way they were intended, and success was had in SPITE of them.
A few weeks ago I was looking through some back-issues of Popular Science from the late 80's, and I was struck by the similarity of the technology to today's. Sure, Moore's law has made computer systems faster and given them more capacity, but the way they are used is stagnant. The magazine is also littered with wind/solar power systems and devices to increase automotive efficiency. If patents were doing what they're supposed to do, shouldn't we have a 50mpg 5 seat production vehicle by now, and be able to buy a 25% efficient solar panel?
Wow, now we know why Sony's execs were so smug when hackers had taken the network down. I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when Zurich showed them that the damages weren't covered.
I worked at an extended warrantee company, and I've had to tell people that repairs weren't covered. This would be the one time that I would enjoy it.
If that strategy works, I'm gonna look into setting up a shell company overseas. Then I'll actually be able to code in peace, without damocles' patented sword hanging over my head.
Re: Well, at last you're writing clearly and forcefully.
Have you seen, or are you seeing a mental health professional? After reading several of your posts, I am very conserned for your well-being.
Seriously. I think your lack of empathy for fellow humans and your slavish devotion to authority may produce a self-hatred culminating in suicidal or homicidal actions.
On the post: DOJ Had 400% More Emergencies That Required Immediate Warrantless Info From ISPs?
Re: Ron Paul 2012
On the post: Let Them Tweet Cake
Re:
Curse you, Dangermouse!
On the post: Planet Money Continues To Show How Damaging Software Patents Are To Innovation
Re:
You can't use them to write code; therefore you can't reproduce the "invention". They are written in legalese, and until they write a legalese compiler, they are useless.
Something that hasn't been touched on is how many open source projects have been closed down by patent threats from large companies. I've seen several projects shut down, but thanks to the EU having more sense than the US in the software world, the projects have sprung back up where the patents are invalid.
Oh yeah, that's another point not touched on: software patents only work in the US. Use the same algorithm as someone else in the EU, no problem. Use that technique in the US, and you have "stolen" someone else�s "technology." And lest we forget, software is a collection of algorithms akin to lists, recipes and mathematical formulas, none of which are patentable.
On the post: Without Copyright, Hollywood Would Never Be Incented To... Make A Bunch Of Remakes?
Re: Re: So in other words...
Good thing they have this old, free material lying around to use. Otherwise, they'd have to just record peoples everyday lives.
OK, maybe using the old material isn't so bad...
On the post: More Canadian Universities Opt Out Of Access Copyright's Skyrocketing Tariffs
Cigarette Tax?
On the post: Apple Does Not Have More Cash Than The US Gov't; Stop Saying That It Does
Re: Re: Re: Mike's Lying
On the post: Apple Does Not Have More Cash Than The US Gov't; Stop Saying That It Does
Mike's Lying
Macro and Micro Economics are the same thing. That's why they're called, "Economics."
On the post: Could The Supreme Court Invalidate Software Patents?
Re: Re: "when the Supreme Court first rejected software patents..."
Full Disclosure: I am yet another software engineer who hates software patents.
On the post: House Committee Approves 'Keep Every American's Digital Data for Submission to the Federal Government Without a Warrant Act of 2011'
The quote, properly formatted
On the post: Another Day, Another Study That Says 'Pirates' Are The Best Customers... This Time From HADOPI
Re: Re:
Now, if it's not clearly in the public domain, I don't touch it. Even if it's independent. The joy of music is definately gone.
On the post: 'When Stuff Is Free, We�re More Likely to Buy'
Re: So why don't they have "free" Slurpees EVERY day?
On the post: Google Finally Speaking Up About Problems With Patent System
Re: Re: Did you hear that?
On the post: Google Finally Speaking Up About Problems With Patent System
Did you hear that?
AAAnnnd switching back after their first search returns garbage.
On the post: How Should Law Enforcement Handle Being Filmed? Officer Lyons Provides The Perfect Example
Re: Re: Re: Re:
It's also fortunate that the courses for law and law enforcement are so similar. Why, I bet most officers quit to practice law! You are so right, AC.
I don't think the officer assigned to your school was ignorant of the Miranda act. I think he was blowing off a kid who was clearly trying to annoy him.
On the post: Now That Sierra Leone Has Its Own Draconian Copyright Law, It Too Can Create Its Own Akon
Re:
I'm sure it will go up, and validate that strong copyright increases GDP at an astounding rate.
/sarc
On the post: When Patents Attack: How Patents Are Destroying Innovation In Silicon Valley
Re: Re: Re: No, decline is due to manufacturing has moved to China.
On the post: When Patents Attack: How Patents Are Destroying Innovation In Silicon Valley
Innovation...
On the post: Sony's Insurer Says It Shouldn't Have To Pay For Cost Of PlayStation Network Hack
We're covered!
I worked at an extended warrantee company, and I've had to tell people that repairs weren't covered. This would be the one time that I would enjoy it.
On the post: Lodsys Strikes Again: Sues Rovio For Patent Infringement Over Angry Birds
Re: Rovio? In a court in Texas?
On the post: How Cisco & The Justice Department Conspired To Try To Destroy One Man's Life For Daring To Sue Cisco
Re: Well, at last you're writing clearly and forcefully.
Seriously. I think your lack of empathy for fellow humans and your slavish devotion to authority may produce a self-hatred culminating in suicidal or homicidal actions.
Please seek help!
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