>>>>> "PM" == Paige Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
PM> dennis roberts wrote:
>> just think about all the software packages ... and what they
>> would HAVE (or HAD) to do if these routines were "patented" ...
>>
>> sure, i see "inventing" some algorithm as being a highly
>> creative act and usually, if it is of value, the person(s)
>> developing it will gain fame (ha ha) and some pr ... but, not
>> quite in the same genre of developing a process for extracting
>> some enzyme from a substance ... using a particular piece of
>> equipment specially developed for that purpose
>>
>> i hope we don't see a trend IN this direction ...
PM> If it so happens that while I am in the employ of a certain
PM> company, I invent some new algorithm, then my company has a
PM> vested interest in making sure that the algorithm remains its
PM> property and that no one else uses it, especially a
PM> competitor. Thus, it is advantageous for my employer to patent
PM> such inventions. In this view, mathematical inventions are no
PM> different than mechanical, chemical or other inventions.
Except that in general, patents for mathematical "inventions" pertain
to a specific use, rather than general existence (this can restrict the
scope of the patent somewhat, depending on what the patent office lets
through).
That still doesn't mean that I have to like it, especially when
patents are granted for trivial solutions (or for trivial problems,
say in "bioinformatics"). Now good, solid, elegant
statistical/mathematical solutions for a complex problem, _that_ I
almost could see getting a patent (but not for over 3 years! That's
ridiculous).
I'm only thinking of statistical/mathematical patents here, not the
general case.
best,
-tony
--
A.J. Rossini Rsrch. Asst. Prof. of Biostatistics
UW Biostat/Center for AIDS Research [EMAIL PROTECTED]
FHCRC/SCHARP/HIV Vaccine Trials Net [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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