Date: Sun, 10 Jul 2005 17:36:21 +0000 From: Bryan Maynard <bryan.maynard@reallm.com> To: freebsd-chat@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Software patents and FreeBSD Message-ID: <200507101736.22061.bryan.maynard@reallm.com> In-Reply-To: <20050710201615.GB67772@over-yonder.net> References: <9A4DB033-3EF6-498F-8DF7-FD402C8E5D9C@tamu.edu> <200507101430.10195.bryan.maynard@reallm.com> <20050710201615.GB67772@over-yonder.net>
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On Sunday 10 July 2005 08:16 pm, Matthew D. Fuller wrote: > On Sun, Jul 10, 2005 at 02:30:09PM +0000 I heard the voice of > Bryan Maynard, and lo! it spake thus: > > softwere is not, in itself, an invention. Software uses language > > constructs (if. . .then, foreach, for, do. . .while) to produce > > funstionality. > Elevators are not, in themselves, an invention; they just use physical > constructs (counterweighting, pulleys, etc) to produce functionality. > ASICs are not, in themselves, inventions; they just use logical > constructs (gates, electrical flows) to produce functionality. > Clothes washers are not, in themselves, an invention; they just use > constructs (water, heat, detergant, agitation) to produce > functionality. To argue otherwise would be patently absurd ;) > Your arguments would be perfectly consistent if you were arguing > against patents altogether, but they don't get you anywhere in > attempting to demonstrate that a means to an end is somehow > "different" if it involves typing instead of machining. Thank you. I am against patents all together. . . :-D I am not, however, nieve enough to believe that the millions of patents that handed out will ever be revoked. My intention is to: "Stop the barbarians at the gate.". Patents have been adopted in so many other industries that I do not want to see them stifle innovation in IT. I am not a multi-national conglomorate. I do not have deep pockets. I am just one man who has a lot of (great) ideas. I am simply not able to pay for patents to keep my "inventions" safe. I can, however, pick the software license (CPL) that best suites my needs and use it - free of charge. You are also write that software is no different than, say, a car engine. . . I am simply hoping that software does not suffer the same fate as the auto industry: To bring a product to market is extremely expensive. Right now software can be developed and distributed free of charge. The day that ceases to be possible not only will projects like FreeBSD dissapear, but so will my project. College students and people needing a boost in their resumes will also be SOL as they will not have projects like FreeBSD and thereallm to contribute to and list on their resume. Thank you for honestly disecting my comments and providing constructive critisism. I appreciate it. :-D And let me state for the record: I am, indeed, against patents in general - and will fervently defend the ability for software to be designed, developed, and distributed free of charge. I believe free software to be the best sorce for innovation and creativity. Thank you for your time and attention, Bryan -- Open Source: by the people, for the people.
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