Perens on Patents

lewiz writes "An interesting interview with Bruce Perens over at the BBC. He's up discussing the role of HP, IBM, et al and the move towards Linux. However, his main point is about software patents and how they are much more of a problem than SCO: 'We're looking at a future where only the very largest companies will be able to implement software, and it will technically be illegal for other people to do so.'"

Comments

If Mr. Perens reads this...

[i.r.id10t]

... I'd like to know what question he wishes the interviewer had asked, and what his response would be.

Annonymously posting to the internet.

[wetshoe]

Whatever happened to the good old days of the underground? You can always upload illegal softwarre to the internet, and if it's useful, then people will use it, regardless of its status. A case in point is the DeCSS code. When it was originally posted, it was on one web site. Then, some other geek thought it was cool, so he put it up on his website, and so on. Then the authorities cracked down, so 10 geeks had it up for a week, then a week later it was 10 other geeks. It's like playing keep away, the people keeping the thing away, in this case the code out there, most always win, because there is so many of them, the authorities can't possibly keep control over ever single one of them.

People will always be using illegal software, whether it be pirated software or softwarre that infringes on someone else's IP. It all comes down to cost, if someone can't afford it, they'll find some other way to get it. If software is published by only a few large companies that overcharge for their products, people will find other means. It almost reminds me of a quote from Jurrasic Park, "Life will find a way."

SCO Fix

[MojoRilla]

I was starting to go through SCO withdrawl. What with the hearing being delayed until February 6th, I thought there might be an entire day without SCO on Slashdot.

And when given the choice:

[Perianwyr Stormcrow]

When given the choice between:

having a general purpose system that does 50% of what I need to do

having a general purpose system that does 100% of what I need to do

I am always going to pick the second. Linux does not have:

Illustrator (lack of this is HUGE, and don't tell me to use Sodipodi 'cause it ain't cuttin' it.)
Photoshop (don't tell me to use the GIMP, I've been having this argument with people for 6 years and it is not holding any more water.)

You also can't play Ultima Online on it (at least if you want to use UOAssist.)

Now, that isn't to say that Linux doesn't kick ass for certain specialized applications. 3d comes to mind- there are many many high quality 3d apps you can get for it, and most of them are things I would not mind using, (assuming someone else paid for them, ha ha.)

But it's not a platform for graphic or industrial designers- yet. And I've been saying that yet for years and years so who knows.

I will however agree that Linux would work for all of my non gamer non graphics professional friends who have Win98 PCs infested with porn spyware and trojans.

James T. Nail

[turgid]

James T. Nail (Crocodile Shoooooees) of Newcastle Upon Tyne says, "Mod this up aboot a thoosand insightful."