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Very subtle differences
You can't copy someone else's work, which is covered by copyright. For example, I see a picture I really like of the downtown Chicago skyline. It's copyrighted. I can't take the SAME picture and use it, but I can certainly go to the same spot by the Shedd and do it myself. Software should be the same way. I can't copy all of the Mambo CMS code, because it's copyrighted. But I can try and duplicate all the features and functionality that I like. If Mambo CMS were patented, depending on the extent of the patent(s), I could conceivably not program a CMS that provided the same benefits.

For the drug example, you can certainly develop your own drug that does what Drug A already does, but they get the rights to that exact implementation (or chemical composition) for a certain amount of time.

Personally, this whole patents vs. copyrights issue is so frickin' gray, it makes my head hurt.
Posted by: Flubnut   Posted on: 01/19/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Wow... that was so good it had to be said twice (nt)  Michael Kelly | 01/19/06
Thanks for saying that.  DemonX | 01/19/06
Wow... that was so good it had to be said twice  barsteward | 01/19/06
What will Linus (the person) do in regard to Linux ?  JJ_z | 01/19/06
Linus doesn't make that choice...  John Le'Brecage | 01/19/06
Yes  Richard Flude | 01/19/06
Relicensing can happen, it'll just take time  FamilyManFirst | 01/19/06
Defender of the GPL  mpmdbt | 01/19/06
the controversial things he says..  mad-man | 01/20/06
one solution does not fit all.  zzz1234567890 | 01/19/06
Very subtle differences  Flubnut | 01/19/06
Actually  CobraA1 | 01/19/06
I think you're right and he's being somewhat decieving  bob2cam | 01/20/06
You have confused the example.  Update victim | 01/20/06
No, not at all.  bob2cam | 01/22/06
He said it all right here.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/19/06
Indeed  CobraA1 | 01/20/06
That's just crazy  spamagnet | 01/20/06
If an idea gets patented, then you have two choices  quietLee | 01/20/06
Or  Update victim | 01/20/06
The question is not *if*, but *should*  CobraA1 | 01/20/06
To expand upon what I said  CobraA1 | 01/23/06
So I can take anything I want form GPLed code..  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/20/06
Not everything  Michael Kelly | 01/20/06
Every licensing scheme has its drawbacks.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
Obviously, you can, but  Update victim | 01/20/06
Defender of the GPL and he don't care about other licenses.  osreinstall | 01/19/06
What are you talking about?  rhavyn | 01/19/06
I guess you didn't read the GPL, any version.  osreinstall | 01/19/06
You're still making zero sense  rhavyn | 01/20/06
You make no sense at all.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
Yes, because you don't understand copyright law  rhavyn | 01/20/06
You don't understand Jack.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: You don't understand Jack.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
It is another license, not God.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
You Can't Read  Edward Meyers | 01/19/06
I read it, but the final draft should be different.  osreinstall | 01/19/06
Could you be more wrong?  rhavyn | 01/20/06
You must be in La La land.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
You still can't read  rhavyn | 01/20/06
You still cannot think.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: You still can't read  rhavyn | 01/20/06
You are unable to think.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: You are unable to think.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
You don't see others viewpoint too good.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: You don't see others viewpoint too good.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
Here is more humor you can mull over, FUDster.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: Here is more humor you can mull over, FUDster.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
You deliver FUD in your own way.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: You deliver FUD in your own way.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
You can.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: You can.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
Can't debate with someone who will say anything.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
Trade Secrecy Only Works  Edward Meyers | 01/20/06
We all know how the GPL feels about trade secrets.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
No You Can't  Edward Meyers | 01/20/06
Licenses have to get along.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
To osreinstall  rhavyn | 01/20/06
Back to rhavyn  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: Back to rhavyn  rhavyn | 01/20/06
SCO Is Not Suing IBM For Copyright Infringement  Edward Meyers | 01/20/06
Another one back at you rhavyn  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: SCO Is Not Suing IBM For Copyright Infringement  rhavyn | 01/20/06
RE: Another one back at you rhavyn  rhavyn | 01/20/06
re: SCO Is Not Suing IBM For Copyright Infringement  osreinstall | 01/20/06
You will never convince me of you BS  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: re: SCO Is Not Suing IBM For Copyright Infringement  rhavyn | 01/20/06
RE: You will never convince me of you BS  rhavyn | 01/20/06
What a stupid rebuttal from rhavyn  osreinstall | 01/20/06
Patent != Copyright  Edward Meyers | 01/20/06
RE: What a stupid rebuttal from rhavyn  rhavyn | 01/20/06
re: Patent != Copyright  osreinstall | 01/20/06
I posted the most relevant cases  Edward Meyers | 01/20/06
You are being deceitful rhavyn.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
Not very relevant if you ask me.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
You are being deceitful rhavyn.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
RE: Not very relevant if you ask me.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
You really should tell the truth.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: You really should tell the truth.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
Can't stay on topic too well.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: Can't stay on topic too well.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
Again You Can't Read  Edward Meyers | 01/20/06
Whatever  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: Whatever  rhavyn | 01/20/06
For Meyers  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: For Meyers  rhavyn | 01/20/06
osreinstall, the GPL has been upheld in a court of law already.  B.O.F.H. | 01/20/06
RE: re: whatever  osreinstall | 01/20/06
It sure has BOFH.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: RE: re: whatever  rhavyn | 01/20/06
RE: It sure has BOFH.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
I have for now.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: I have for now.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
Last paragraph says it all.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
Re: For Meyers  Edward Meyers | 01/21/06
You sure went thru some trouble to prove a lot that I didn't dispute.  osreinstall | 01/21/06
EULAs are contracts  Edward Meyers | 01/21/06
Re: EULAs are contracts  osreinstall | 01/21/06
Those Aren't The Only Problems At The USPTO  Edward Meyers | 01/21/06
Yes, there are drawbacks.  osreinstall | 01/22/06
Software Is Different  Edward Meyers | 01/22/06
Software can be many things.  osreinstall | 01/22/06
osreinstall, time to stop whining about licenses!  B.O.F.H. | 01/22/06
Read The Case Law  Edward Meyers | 01/22/06
Creative folks do not fear patents.  osreinstall | 01/22/06
BOFH quit whining about your precious GPL.  osreinstall | 01/22/06
osreinstall, you appear to have a lot of problem!  B.O.F.H. | 01/22/06
BOFH you are full of crap as usual  osreinstall | 01/22/06
Where to start with you....  B.O.F.H. | 01/22/06
Small Developers Do Fear Patents  Edward Meyers | 01/22/06
Put a sock in it. You always twist it around.  osreinstall | 01/22/06
Just the reckless opportunists.  osreinstall | 01/22/06
I've Posted 4 Cases  Edward Meyers | 01/22/06
You posted a lot of stuff.  osreinstall | 01/22/06
Mayers, you are wasting too much time with osreinstall!  B.O.F.H. | 01/22/06
BOFH, you are a reasoning hack.  osreinstall | 01/22/06
The GPL is antagonistic to trade secrets  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: The GPL is antagonistic to trade secrets  rhavyn | 01/20/06
It is. GPL folks despise trade secrets. You keep telling us that fact.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: It is. GPL folks despise trade secrets. You keep telling us that fact.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
Just more jaber jaber from rhavyn  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: Just more jaber jaber from rhavyn  rhavyn | 01/20/06
The thing is, you are not more informed.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
I doubt that your opinion matters much.  B.O.F.H. | 01/20/06
Fat chance of that happening  rhavyn | 01/20/06
You are a fat chance and a liability.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
RE: You are a fat chance and a liability.  rhavyn | 01/20/06
Another one that needs reading lessons.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
I don't have a problem with most of it.  osreinstall | 01/20/06
GPL means Freedom  wildranger | 01/21/06
Or perhaps  Update victim | 01/20/06
I don't see anything about TiVo  krehbiel | 01/19/06
I too didn't see anything about TiVo  Too Old For IT | 01/20/06
are you blind?  lwparrish | 01/20/06
It should be more than the GPL ...  Vily Clay | 01/20/06
All Software Should be Free, Period  wildranger | 01/21/06

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