On Sun, 2002-05-26 at 13:55, Alceste Scalas wrote:
I think that it could be quite a realistic hypothesis --- and it could be the first software patent that could be used to support Free Software :-)
The problem is: will the short term benefit of few software patents "supporting" free software be so good? or will this kind of things instead harm the Free Software community by "supporting" software patents as a viable thing?
I'm on the list of people that are for the 2nd.
Applying for software patents is a way to say they are ok! But they are not as you know!
That said, I cannot say anything against RedHat, they are a company and have to follow real world rules, so to defend themselves they are probably forced to apply for patents, or they will not have a portfolio to defend themselves against other companies that instead have patents.
So the problem is not RedHat applying for patents, but the patent system itself. We must be very active and make our voice loud to avoid software patents are ever applied here in Europe or we will see for sure the end of the Free Software Movement. No minor or major free software producer will be ever able to fight a patent infringment accusation, generally they will not even have the money to start a legal defense. And we cannot expect companies to be fair when they see their profits eroded and want to push a proprietary program against a free program.
I may be seen pessimistic, but I think I'm only realistic.
regards, Simo.