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Torvalds Joins Anti-Patent Attack

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the patents-schmatents dept.

canuck57 sent us a story about Linus Torvalds has joined the chorus of voices speaking out against software patents. Talks briefly about the recent patent releases by IBM & Sun, and notes that there are 'an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 registered software patents in the U.S. alone.'

6 of 357 comments (clear)

  1. infringing my patent by wawannem · · Score: 5, Funny

    Unfortunately, Linus was immediately sacked for infringing on my patent: Patent 1,234,567: Speaking against software patents in a public forum.

  2. Ugh... by th1ckasabr1ck · · Score: 4, Funny
    "patent WMDs"

    PLEASE let that term just disappear and never be used again...

  3. patents vs spam by AtariAmarok · · Score: 4, Funny
    300,000 in the U.S.? At this ever increasing rate, software patent propagation will likely exceed spams being sent in a decade or two.

    The two will likely merge, with today's spam list sellers producing software that is guaranteed to generate 100,000 software patents a day.

    And don't dare to delete that spam. You will see a message in it that says "The methodology of pressing a delete screen button or similar control on a web form in order to ignore email advertising is covered under US Patent 4,005,544,202,499,003-A. If you attempt this, you will be charged with a patent violation."

    --
    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
    1. Re:patents vs spam by winkydink · · Score: 4, Funny
      300,000 in the U.S.? At this ever increasing rate, software patent propagation will likely exceed spams being sent in a decade or two.

      If I said it once, I've said it a millions times, don't exaggerate.

      --

      "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

  4. It's unamerican by FreeUser · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, it's almost like the slashdot editors are allowed to voice their own views and not follow a company line set out by the people who own the site. Imagine that, editorial freedom in a news site! What a novel idea!

    It's downright unamerican!

    --
    The Future of Human Evolution: Autonomy
  5. Re:Beat you by Decaff · · Score: 4, Funny

    [Sorry buddy, but I already have a patent on the process of threatening someone with lawyers in order to get money from something.]

    And I'm sure you are aware that you are infringing my patent on threats in italics.