Erik Reuter wrote:
>
> On Sat, Oct 12, 2002 at 09:13:03AM -0500, Julia Thompson wrote:
>
> > *That* is what's wrong with the software patent system -- IBM patents
> > everything in sight, and then files claims against everyone in sight,
> > to where companies that don't believe in software patents start filing
> > them right and left, not with the intention of suing other people, but
> > so they'll have the patent in hand if someone files against *them*.
>
> I'm sure IBM files mostly frivolous patents to reach such
> huge yearly totals. But I want to point out that IBM has
> made some worthwhile inventions recently. The 100+GB hard
> drives we have today are largely due to IBM's inventions in
> {giant,super,humongous}-magneto-resistance. And many of the developments
> that kept microprocessor speed advancing recently are due to IBM, such
> as copper interconnects and silicon-on-insulator (SOI).
The hardware innovations are great, and I fully support those patents.
I do believe, though, that many *software* patents are just not a great
idea. And I believe that IBM routinely files suits against companies
that they think are violating their software patents, although I don't
have anything other than anecdotal evidence to support this belief. If
anyone has hard-and-fast numbers regarding suits filed by IBM for
software patent violations, I'd be very interested in seeing those.
Julia
_______________________________________________
http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
