You are correct, ideas can be patented. Copyright doesn't protect them, it only protects their "expression".
The hard part of software copyrights is defining what "expression" is in the context of the software in question. Ideas, Processes, Functions, and work flow are not copyrightable. Personally, I think a lot of patented ideas are bogus. How many idea patents are filed without any follow up or any value to the world, just in case they might turn out to be good ideas later? The guy that files them may not try to use the idea or even know if its viable, he just wants to make sure he makes money off it. Dan Bittinger Highlands Construction Software LLC (303) 362-0507 (office) (720) 244-4621 (cell) (303) 690-2206 (home office) email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: www.highlandsconstructionsoftware.com -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Blake Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 1:59 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [advanced_delphi] Re: Code Comparison Software or Expert On Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:24:29 -0700, Dan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > You aren't naive, yes they should have to prove their case. > > Unfortunately: > 1. They can make it very expensive (IP lawyers are high priced. Excpert > witnesses are high priced.) > 2. It can drag out forever. > 3. Proof is in the perception. IP cases can be more complex than just > source code. Well, I'd think copyright violation could be easily resolved enough, but patent violation is a lot trickier. SCO has gone from "IBM gave our code to Linux" to "IBM gave our =ideas= to Linux." And that case is in its, what, fourth year? Don't have any great ideas, sorry. Yahoo! Groups Links
