That anti-patent pamphlet I mentioned

[Marcus Brinkmann]

On Mon, Dec 16, 2002 at 06:27:22PM +0100, Arnoud Galactus Engelfriet wrote:
> I can give you another definition of "invention": a practical
> realization of technology, wherein technology means an application of
> a natural science.

The economical consequences on granting patents for that type of inventions
would be desasterous.  Also the impact on the personal freedom, and the
freedom of science.  I wouldn't want to live in such a society.

> > The forces-of-nature concept was introduced into patent law to restrict
> > patents to technical inventions, rather than new abstract and logical ideas.
> 
> No, it restricts patents to a small subset of technical
> inventions. *That's* the problem.

No, it restricts patents to technical inventions, and keeps them out of the
world of abstract thought and logic.  I think we have been there before.
 
Thanks,
Marcus

-- 
`Rhubarb is no Egyptian god.' GNU      http://www.gnu.org    marcus at gnu.org
Marcus Brinkmann              The Hurd http://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/
Marcus.Brinkmann at ruhr-uni-bochum.de
http://www.marcus-brinkmann.de/