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Re: [Fsfe-uk] Research questions
From: |
Ian Lynch |
Subject: |
Re: [Fsfe-uk] Research questions |
Date: |
Tue, 27 Jul 2004 08:38:15 +0100 |
On Tue, 2004-07-27 at 02:38, P.L.Hayes wrote:
> To me, the Bromcom technology seems a little too technical and what's
> 'worse';
> it looks like the good guys have actually prevailed this time.
Only because the actual bit patented turned out to be begnign.
> Tabbed
> palettes and progress bars however are graphical, easy to understand and
> highly visible 'technologies' - already covered by European patents and just
> waiting for legal 'validation'.
I thin kyou need some concrete examples where these patents have been
enforced to the detriment of some group of people otherwise it will be
seen as just paranoia and hysteria.
> They pose an imminent and insidious but very
> real threat and I think it would be quite wrong to give the public the
> impression that the threat is only to profit making software businesses:
The main threat from the BromCom patent was to end users. Schools were
forced to pay a lot more for the products starving other aspects of the
curriculum eg learning a musical instrument, additional support for
special needs...it can ba eas emotive as you want it to be.
> All
> software patents are outrageous infringements of *individual* freedom of
> expression but you'll never convince the public of that unless you can show
> them that there are people out there who actually use their computers like
> musicians use their instruments and their music-ruled manuscript.
Equally they won't be convinced unless you show them actual cases where
such patents have been enforced to the detrimnet of an average computer
user.
--
Ian Lynch <address@hidden>
ZMS Ltd
Re: [Fsfe-uk] Research questions, MJ Ray, 2004/07/27