|
I really hope not. Copyright law I think protects it as much as it possibly can, if we get into patents then where does it stop? Patenting an "if" statement?
I can't see this going very far. How would the reviewer check the validity of the patent? They would have to be programmers themselves.
|
|
|
|
|
It's about damn time.
Hopefully something useful will come about from the decision rather than something to complicate software patents even further.
To know and not do, is not yet to know
http://www.codeofthedamned.com
|
|
|
|
|
Software patenting has it's uses but like everything else has been taken to extremes.
I wonder if this has anything to do with trying to put a stop to patent trolling?
|
|
|
|
|
Lawyers and judges don't know enough about this stuff to render decisions that are sound.
They get SuperAntiSpyware and wonder why. 
|
|
|
|
|
No; it's a written work, not an invention.
|
|
|
|
|
That hasn't stopped Apple yet - "Rounded rectangles" anyone?
|
|
|
|
|
That's comparing Apples to oranges though - you can't say the physical design of an iPad has anything to do with software patents.
That said, Apple did a great job popularising tablets, but they hardly invented them. And I think the word "bevel" goes back to pre-Jobs days too. I was very surprised that case did not get laughed out of court.
Iain.
I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!
|
|
|
|
|
Easy solution; disabandon patents completely.
Bastard Programmer from Hell 
If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
|
|
|
|
|
Great, a bunch of people that probably have no knowledge about or interest in technology are going to tell us what we can and cannot do with that technology...
Of course it has been that way for a long time.
And not only in technology.
It's an OO world.
public class Sander : Lazy<Person>{
public void DoWork(){ throw new NotImplementedException(); }
}
|
|
|
|
|
Actually, not really. They'll tell USians what they can and cannot do.
|
|
|
|
|
But who is going to decide what Dutch people can do with US software in Germany? 
It's an OO world.
public class Sander : Lazy<Person>{
public void DoWork(){ throw new NotImplementedException(); }
}
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sander Rossel wrote: what we can and cannot do with that technology
No, only telling the patent office what they can and cannot do.
|
|
|
|
|
From the article:
being closely watched by the technology industry.
No. "being intensely lobbied by the technology industry" would be more accurate. Another example of how the media delivers false impressions.
In the end, the Court will of course rule "yes" in the most broad terms, or worse, say that this matter is something for the lower courts to decide on a case-by-case basis. The result will be no further clarity or protection for developers that will eventually (if/when they get big enough to be a blip on the radar) to be sued by "the giants" and the millions of dollars that they can throw at intimidating those with better ideas.
Patent law was originally created to protect real inventions. Now it's used to prevent creativity, invention, and progress. Software is not a cotton gin.
Marc
|
|
|
|
|
Marc Clifton wrote: The result will be no further clarity/blockquote>
I doubt that unless they do nothing more than remand it back to the lower court for reconsideration.
Marc Clifton wrote: to be sued by "the giants" and the millions of dollars that they can throw at intimidating those with better ideas.
On average I would suppose that most patent lawsuits are initiated by those who are not "giants". After all it is a number games in that there are many, many more small companies and individuals versus large companies.
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin Marois wrote: Can software be patented?
Despite the title of the article I doubt that a decision will even get close to being about that.
|
|
|
|
|
I have a little Satnav, It sits there in my car
A Satnav is a driver's friend, it tells you where you are.
I have a little Satnav, I've had it all my life
It's better than the normal ones, my Satnav is my wife.
It gives me full instructions, especially how to drive
"It's sixty k's an hour", it says, "You're doing sixty five".
It tells me when to stop and start, and when to use the brake
And tells me that it's never ever, safe to overtake.
It tells me when a light is red, and when it goes to green
It seems to know instinctively, just when to intervene.
It lists the vehicles just in front, and all those to the rear
And taking this into account, it specifies my gear.
I'm sure no other driver, has so helpful a device
For when we leave and lock the car, it still gives its advice.
It fills me up with counselling, each journey's pretty fraught
So why don't I exchange it, and get a quieter sort?
Ah well, you see, it cleans the house, makes sure I'm properly fed
It washes all my shirts and things, and keeps me warm in bed!
Despite all these advantages, and my tendency to scoff,
I only wish that now and then, I could turn the bugger off.
|
|
|
|
|
That's a Nagigator! I bought a GPS I can turn it off. 
|
|
|
|
|
my model's a little older than yours
i've had it a long time,
it warns me when i'm even close
to crossing a white line,
it doesn't beep a warning,
it generally just sighs
and if i try to argue,
just tuts
and rolls its eyes
MVVM # - I did it My Way
___________________________________________
Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011
.\\axxx
(That's an 'M')
|
|
|
|
|
That reminds me that the SatNav in my Android phone gets really excited in some parts of Dundee. While directing me along Cupar Angus Road it seemed to have multiple-orgasms.
"At the next roundabout take the second exit to stay on Cupa-ah-AHr Angus Road"
|
|
|
|
|
Since I've been having problems with FF I must admit IE really sucks!
Ok go back to what you were doing no new news here!
|
|
|
|
|
I just found a new feature in IE 11...Tools/Sun Java Console. Crashes the tab on this laptop. I found this while troubleshooting a remote desktop solution we just subscribed to. The test run, launched from an email link crashes IE...works fine in Chrome, but I was told that is not an acceptable workaround as almost all of our customers are IE. I am still not sure what is causing the problem, but the behavior is the same as trying to load the Java Console. 
"Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse
|
|
|
|
|
Nothing would surprise me, the level of suckage is amazing. And of course with IE you get the marvelous, unsurpassed, best thing since sliced bread Bing...nah I won't go there IE is enough for one day.
|
|
|
|
|
Indeed! After being a die-hard IE supporter for years, I finally switched to Chrome. While I'm sure it has its share of bugs, I haven't seen any yet. 
/ravi
|
|
|
|
|
I installed Chrome the other day still kicking the tires. There's a lot I like about it and there are some things I don't. Trying to decide if I want to pitch it or pin it?
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
