RE: [Algorithms] pissing in the well [was: Collision detection patent]

[Alex P. <al...@Ex...>]

Thatcher,

I hate software patents as much as the next guy, I think they are a
totally obsolete
concept that was a bad idea 100 years ago and is a worse idea now.
Regarding this comment:

>Companies like IBM and Microsoft are filing
>software patents at a furious pace, carving up territory that was
pioneered
>by others.=20

Since I work here, although I am not a lawyer and my work has nothing to
do
with graphics.

This stupid software patenting has brought up a very dangerous situation
for
companies who have money, like IBM and MS.
If MS doesn't patent everything it does it runs the risk of getting sued
for
using algorithms etc. which some guy may have invented earlier but never
published.

The problem is that there is no way to know if you are the 1st to invent
an algorithm, so if you come up with something that seems new you better
patent it or some other guy who discovered it 2 years ago, who sees that
MS is using this algorithm will apply for the patent it just to be able
to
sue MS for it.
If you dont have money of course you wont be a target.  You wont believe
how many people make money by screwing around with the legal system like
that.

I think patents for software algorithms should be abolished as a whole,
then
we may stand a chance of clearing this up, but without that no one can
afford to take the 1st step, its like the arms race... we need a
Software Patent Abolishment Treaty (SPAT).

BTW.
If I come up with a faster route from my house to work by taking the
freeway,
can I patent it and force everyone else who uses the freeway to pay for
my patent?
I hope not.  But I am afraid that technically this is probably possible.

Alex

Dislaimer:
This message does not in anyway represent an official position of
Microsoft.
These are solely the author's personal opinions.