how patents work (was Re: Microsoft prohibits GPLed work via

Wed Apr 10 20:27:06 UTC 2002

> As I said before to Alessandro, the patent isn't strictly on the idea,
> it's on the solution.

That's theory. So-called software patents are on abstract ideas (not
all of them, only most of them).  That's why they are not legal in
civilized countries. At least until some lobby ignores civil rules to
enlarge their own pockets, already deep enough to shape reality.

Never heard of the horror gallery?
http://swpat.ffii.org/vreji/pikta/mupli/index.en.html

/alessandro