Stephen Dawson wrote:
I hope that is the first step in the courts killing the idea that you can have patents of software.

That sounds like a horrible idea.

Stephen Dawson wrote:
I hope that is the first step in the courts killing the idea that you can have patents of software.

Damon Banner wrote:
That sounds like a horrible idea.

It works fine in Europe and Asia.

Damon Banner wrote:

That sounds like a horrible idea.

It stops companies from monopolising the market. Like what Adobe does with Photoshop.

Strangekitty wrote:

It stops companies from monopolising the market. Like what Adobe does with Photoshop.

It's also a first step in the abolishment of intellectual property rights... like photographer's copyright.

Damon Banner wrote:

That sounds like a horrible idea.

Richard Posner (judge on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the most cited legal author of all time) seems to disagree with you:

    http://www.becker-posner-blog.com/2012/ … osner.html

Strangekitty wrote:
It stops companies from monopolising the market. Like what Adobe does with Photoshop.

That is only because:
1 - for what some people require of it it is the best tool for the job
2 - other people follow like sheep and use it because they are told that it is the best tool for the job, even though the jobs and skill levels are very different compared to those who need it
3 - no other manufacturer is willing to invest heavily in a competitor software package given the number of people who steal the Adobe software by using unlicensed copies reducing the market potential. The price that Adobe charges means they can still develop it from the income generated by the lawful users of the software.

Stephen Dawson wrote:
I hope that is the first step in the courts killing the idea that you can have patents of software.

Note that it is the USA courts where Apple has had most of its success. The USA Patents office is now recognising that it needs help in identifying what is truely new and innovative and what is just a copy or minor variation on something that already exists.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19672986

And even the UN are getting in on it:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19887318