Computers: Why i am against software patents[!OT]

[melfice]

Yeah, is something that is arising lately here in university. Software patents are a theme not preciselly to be ignored for us programmers, (and for users also!)

Exactly, this software patenting stuff means that, if successfully installed, programmers can "register" their software, so, if people want to reuse some parts of it, they have to pay for it, for copyrights.

This is in no way admisible, IMO, because people then, would not be able to use some programming routines as freely as they want just because, they're "registered", so, perhaps, think of something this like: you make a routine to make a sum, and you register it. Then, all people who wants to make sums, MUST pay you because the sum routine belongs to you, and those who don't pay for it are illegally using it, and are to be prosecuted by laws.

This is, in my opinion, in no way acceptable. Software design bases preciselly in the fact that routines are to be reused, not to be selled.

Then, processors, perhaps, could have their own routines to make stuff registered, and you'd be paying just for the right to use them, which is totally ilogical, IMO.

Also, is not fair for programmers who want to keep their software as free as they want, as there would be others who, simply, would copy them, modify slightly the programs, and then, register the software, and then, steal your merits, i don't think that's fair in no way.

And much more examples, is a matter that precisely is not to be ignored in my opinion. Also, users would be harmed by this measure. The free software would be very rare, just because you haven't bought the routines (say perhaps, a "sellable" version of Direct X!) You know the trap right?.

The routines become registered, and you must pay for them to use them.

Also, algorithms are not something which you can sell like that, it's knowledge, it's like selling the division algorithm we know since the greeks, And just because you register it, then, nobody can use it as freely as it was given to us.

So, i think people should be against this knid of behavior.

<font color="#345E81" size="1">[ April 20, 2005 08:11 AM: Message edited by: -Wiseman- ]</font>

[Hell Knight]

The routines become registered, and you must pay for them to use them.
Unacceptable, yeah. Why are they do this? I'll tell you. Because they want LOTSA cash, so they would sell their own souls if the devil would pay enough

<font color="#345E81" size="1">[ April 20, 2005 09:40 AM: Message edited by: Hell Knight ]</font>

[melfice]

Yes, but is also very dangerous. Just think of something so simple as, perhaps, Microsoft getting the rights over the TCP/IP routines.

Internet would be in M$'s hands!

[Hell Knight]

I hope that'll never happen, if so I'll not use internet, lol. j/k