How is it that companies can patent software?

[eilute]

Whenever I open up Adobe Acrobat I see a splash screen that lists numerous patents. I understand why they are able to obtain copywrites, but not patents. What exactly is it that they are patenting?

 

[Yossarian]

if they give you the patent numbers, look them up. they are patenting the various processes and ideas used in the software.

 

[eilute]

Would say that this is like patenting source code? I would think that patenting source code, would be like patenting a book.

 

[Rastus]

I can't stand it when programs are called technology.

 

[0roo0roo]

meh the patenting office has been too lax for too long.

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: eilute
Would say that this is like patenting source code? I would think that patenting source code, would be like patenting a book.

You get patents for ideas and concepts, like the idea of putting drop down menus in a program, or drawing a rectangle around an object to select it.

Patent has nothing to do with the document you create when you write a program, which is covered by copyright.

Except you could patent the idea of writing a program to make a computer work. Or the structure of the language.

 

[0roo0roo]

example of stupid patent
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/19/nintendo_online_gaming/

 

[DigDug]

Patent/Copyright law is one of the areas of law where the law really stretches itself to deal with something so inherently undefinable. We see the courts donning doctor's hats, engineers hats, and even attempt to become the arbiters of what constitutes protectable art and design and what doesn't. The patent office isn't any different.

It's all a joke. And that's why I say there must be effort to design a completely new, more effective system of dealing with intellectual property. Its retarded as it currently exists.

 

[intogamer]

patents=ideas?

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: DigDug
Patent/Copyright law is one of the areas of law where the law really stretches itself to deal with something so inherently undefinable. We see the courts donning doctor's hats, engineers hats, and even attempt to become the arbiters of what constitutes protectable art and design and what doesn't. The patent office isn't any different.

It's all a joke. And that's why I say there must be effort to design a completely new, more effective system of dealing with intellectual property. Its retarded as it currently exists.

The current system got us to the level of technology we have, the only thing wrong with it is people without ethics who ignore the law.