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Patenting Knowledge
"By the way, you can't patent general knowledge like math or things with "prior art"."
Actually, that is only partially true. Specific mathematical formulae can and have been patented. I.e. You could patent a specific method of integration, but not the concept of integration.
However, suppose you develop an entire new realm of mathematics. Under current patent law, you could patent it, and force mathemeticians to pay you to use the new math.

As to stifling innovation, I never said that there is no innovation in the IT field. However, I do believe that software patents stifle innovation. One thing that allows innovation to proceed at such a pace, is that so many people are jumping into IT. The best thing about it is that many methods/ideas can be shown to be prior art when someone attempts to patent a method/idea. After all, if I anyone develops a mathematical formula /method/ idea, and uses it prior to someone's patent, it is prior art. That seems to be happening a lot.
Posted by: Letophoro   Posted on: 04/12/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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InterGraph is getting PAID!!!  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
Who needs to manufacture hardware...  vferrara | 04/12/04
Voiding patents a bad Idea  Letophoro | 04/12/04
I would argue that...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
Depends  Letophoro | 04/12/04
I agree, there needs to be balance.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
Patenting Knowledge  Letophoro | 04/12/04
I have the ANSWER!!!  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
Would you see it that way if it was your patent?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
But what if they are just guessing?  el1jones | 04/12/04
But, I can't afford to build it.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
That's not the question... I said...  el1jones | 04/12/04
To far out in left field for me.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
Copyrights and Patents  jwschull@... | 04/14/04
Why patents.  bjbrock | 04/12/04

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