M Harris
No mathematical "truth" can be patented. Much of software (if not all...) is similar to mathematical truth... whether trivial or not... and should not be patentable for the same reason.
On Saturday 11 November 2006 18:33, Patrick Shanahan replied:
I think, a _very_ good analogy. Thankyou,
To which I reply: This sort of overlooks the fact that the REASON gif, jpeg, mpeg, dvdcss, zip, various others were deemed patentable is that they were not "mathematical truths" but rather constructions using a variety of mathematical truths, logic, processes, and specifications. They were therefore patentable under current interpretation of the laws. (I suggest the term Harris was looking for was "mathematical proof"). -- _____________________________________ John Andersen