Seth Johnson wrote:
In fact, I think several things should be stated strongly right at the juncture, that usually people evade. I think now is the right time to register the "you can't patent abstraction" point, so that's in the mix for subsequent legislative discourse -- and what's more, it needs to be stated directly that patenting abstract rules is not to be allowed, *even for newly discovered, breakthrough algorithms* -- just as is the case for scientific laws/theory.
I incorporated this point in my response to John Gray, the patent attorney who wrote the pro-swpat article at out-law.com: http://www.now-business.com/mailinglists/forum/now-forum/showpost?thread=538...
This is a point that just needs to be stated. It's not necessarily one that wins in discourse, except at the final juncture -- but it's essential to register it, so that you can refer back to it for the future, when it's an important principle that should be applied in policymaking.
Jonas Maebe also posted a comment to Mr. Gray: http://www.now-business.com/mailinglists/forum/now-forum/showpost?thread=538...
Seth