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Freedom of Speech in Software

Posted by michael on from the if-only dept.

akpoff writes " I've been struggling with the question 'what's wrong with software patents' but haven't been able to find the right words. I was over at John Gilmore's website and found a link to John Salin's 'Freedom of Speech in Software' letter to the USPTO back in 1991! This is one of the best explanations I've seen. He reminds us that computer programs are essentially like literature or music -- they are expressions of ideas. Just because they run on a computer doesn't make them uniquely different from other creative mediums. We should think player piano (patentable) vs the music (copyrightable but not patentable) it plays. Europeans -- put this letter into the hands of your MEPs!"

3 of 250 comments (clear)

  1. But wait a minute... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    Europeans -- put this letter into the hands of your MEPs!
    The RIAA told me that MEP files are illegal! Can't I write to my OGG instead?
  2. Re:Computer science is too young for patents by nerdguy0 · · Score: 3, Funny
    It's as though people were able to take out patents on "the wheel"...

    Umm... it's already been done. US Pat. #5,707,114

    --
    "In /dev/null no one can hear you stream."
  3. Make it clear software is writing. by Sphere1952 · · Score: 2, Funny


    Use poetic aliterative variable names which connotate the emotion behind the variable rather than stark descriptive variable names which denotate the purpose of the variable.

    Use a pretty turn of algorithm rather than a boring direct approach.

    Write additional haiku, odes, sonets, etc. in the comments rather than describe your intentions in writing a particular step in the code.

    --
    Big Brother Bush is doubleplus ungood.