Re: software patents in the wild

Ian Lance Taylor wrote:

>Joe Corneli <[email protected]> writes:
>
>  
>
>>I have a software project that I'm working on finishing up that may
>>include features that have been patented.  Should I worry about this?
>>
>>Since it seems like people can "patent anything", and have (to the
>>amusement to many a slashdot user), I get the sense that any
>>reasonably complicated program will contain "patented" features.
>>Especially if the idea for the program (or something similar) has been
>>floating around in public discourse for a while without any
>>implementation.
>>
>>If I release the software, should I brace for cease and desist
>>letters?  Would I be running the risk of a lawsuit?  Is there
>>something I can do to avoid getting in this kind of trouble (e.g. move
>>to a far away country and release the code from there)?
>>    
>>
>
>I concur that every substantial piece of software violates several
>U.S. software patents.  In general there is nothing you can do about
>this.
>  
>
Bigger picture: Brazil has a pretty good fight going on in the context
of TRIPs and GATT, which is pretty low key (probably because it's not
seen as a U.S. problem) - but relates to how Brazil is producing
medications for HIV positive people at a low cost. Of course, WTO and
WIPO are up in arms about the patent insurrection going on in Brazil,
but it's hard to put dieing people on the front page and say that they
are robbing corporations of profits.

If there's one country that is on the ball right now, it's Brazil.
Activism in India is quite high. But the U.S. and Japan are core
countries espousing the same problems written of, and they are
representing... probably... you... at WSIS, and more properly at the
WGIG which recently ended. In WTO, in WIPO, they say that they represent
you, me, and the red-head next door who looks really good washing her
car.. \

Brazil, at least, has the balls to stand up for life. And since the key
is patents, well.... go figure.

-- 
Taran Rampersad
Presently in: San Fernando, Trinidad
[email protected]

http://www.knowprose.com
http://www.easylum.net
http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran

"Criticize by creating." — Michelangelo