Re: Software Patent Concerns => New Black Markets?

[Dmitry A. Kazakov <mailbox@dmitry-kazakov.de>]

On Mon, 18 Aug 2003 11:31:01 -0700, "Robert C. Leif" <rleif@rleif.com>
wrote:

>Why do you want a system that discriminates against software inventors?

It is already here. Patents are used to reward patent owners, which
are not necessarily the inventors. Nobody is against inventors, except
fundamentalists. The problem is that the system does not work as
expected and moreover it has lots of very nasty side effects raising
the question whether it is worth these effects.

>If I invent a new chemical or use for that chemical or clinical instrument, I can
>receive significant royalties. However, if I do the equivalent in software,
>you and others believe that these intellectual contributions should be free.

The problem is that the software you made belongs to the firm you are
working for. So the royalties. The patent law it its present state
could only work if people were working for themselves without large
investments. It is long time not the case, especially in modern
science and software industry.

>I also believe that mathematicians should be able to profit from their
>discoveries. Again, what you propose is the poverty, chastity, and obedience
>nonsense. Most of the capitalists really like getting technology for free. I
>still favor all power to the technocrats.

Have they? In fact even shareholders (capitalists) have not. It seems
that presently the highest and ruling class is the class of managers.
They do not invest, do not invent, but rein everything. Not that we
should get rid of them. It is that without a counterweight they became
almost uncontrolled.

---
Regards,
Dmitry Kazakov
www.dmitry-kazakov.de