Odec wrote: > How software patents might affect the development of open source applications > such as OpenOffice.
At their best, patents prevent innovation. At their worst, they merely stifle competition. One factor to bear in mind: Every software patent that has ever been issued, hs been issued despite it being both obvious, and based upon prior art. That prior art can range from being merely a year old, to being several millenia old. For example, the RSA patent is based upon material in a medieval manuscript. I've forgotten which patent is taken from Vinca text. Or maybe I should just point out that the business methods of the Akkadians are being patented today. xan jonathon -- Ethical conduct is a vice. Corrupt conduct is a virtue. Motto of Nacarima.
