The following news article published on ZDNET illustrates a challenge I have been aware of but have not addressed formally: http://www.zdnet.com/intweek/stories/columns/0,4164,2640104,00.html The AMA owns the CPT coding system, and aggressively defends its rights. The use fees are steep for the casual user. There is no question that the AMA has the right to copyright its own work, and to derive financial benefit from it. But any US EMR system must use the CPT system; for the amateur hacker without significant funds, the need to purchase the CPT database is a large barrier to effectie work. Are my concerns realistic? Do the CPT fees and use restrictions hinder free exchange of ideas and collaborative development of code? DJ
