It's definitely growing, and not just in the patent world. The Altai case was probably the modern landmark (referenced in my paper), IMHO. It set up a way for courts to review software copyright claims, something they really didn't know how to do before. Course, they still lack the expertise to do so, but they'll come around. Professors like Lessig are breeding students who eventually will be able to do something about software law to open it up to alternative ways of viewing IP.
Unfortunately, we haven't seen the GPL make its way into court, though I know Moglen and his crew have been close. (Btw, in this Microsophic world, I think a court is going to want to side with the GPL, whatever its ultimate legality. I hope so.)
You should get into the legal side. The law could use some techies. Very few make it there, because you're all doing more intersting, productive things. But think of it as charitable contributions that you can give to society. (-:
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It's definitely growing, and not just in the patent world. The Altai case was probably the modern landmark (referenced in my paper), IMHO. It set up a way for courts to review software copyright claims, something they really didn't know how to do before. Course, they still lack the expertise to do so, but they'll come around. Professors like Lessig are breeding students who eventually will be able to do something about software law to open it up to alternative ways of viewing IP.
Unfortunately, we haven't seen the GPL make its way into court, though I know Moglen and his crew have been close. (Btw, in this Microsophic world, I think a court is going to want to side with the GPL, whatever its ultimate legality. I hope so.)
You should get into the legal side. The law could use some techies. Very few make it there, because you're all doing more intersting, productive things. But think of it as charitable contributions that you can give to society. (-:
Matt