Save the Web From Software Patents 127
TheNextCorner writes "PersonalWeb's software patent suit against Github and others threatens the freedom of the Web. In order to make sure that the Web can remain a free and accessible space for everyone, we need to rid ourselves of all the patents that threaten its viability. We need to end software patents."
Right... (Score:4, Insightful)
Well, yes, but it is not going to be easy (Score:5, Insightful)
Remember that quite a few powerful companies have built their fortune on abusing the patent system.
iPhone users talking about freedom? (Score:2, Insightful)
I wonder if all those people talking about software freedom use iPhones.
Re:Ok but (Score:5, Insightful)
Show the US government that software patents hurt innovation so much that it causes migration of innovative firms.
Re:too much money in software patents for the lawy (Score:4, Insightful)
Any person is able to represent themselves 'pro se.'
And only a moron does in a patent case. The law is written to be byzantine and incomprehensible as a make work project for the lawyers, by the lawyers.
Re:Fuck github (Score:3, Insightful)
The prevailing philosophy holds that Mathematics is discovered, not invented. This is especially true when referring to reality; if you can choose arbitrary axioms you might be able to invent things. Otherwise, your solution is dictated by your choices.
Even if what you say is true, though, that is not an argument for patents. Empirical studies suggest that patents are used mostly to stifle competition, and their mechanism is fairly anti-capitalist.
Therefore to the degree to which you support patents, you're mostly a douche.
Humans are assholes. (Score:5, Insightful)
Some humans really love getting more than they give, having lots of power over others and abusing it for the sake of abusing it, and so on.
The overwhelming majority of the rest of humanity likes being as lazy as possible in order to achieve their mediocre existence, never putting themselves out to change things that don't seem like they will make a really huge difference in their own lives. It is *so* much easier to let other people fight the important battles while watching TV and feeling smug after having voted.
The tiny remainder who actually care about justice, and about helping humanity achieve its full potential, are completely outnumbered (by the slothful) and outgunned (by the powerful).
Maybe we will grow out of this someday. Until then, expect widespread failure.
Re:Right... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Well, yes, but it is not going to be easy (Score:5, Insightful)
I am beginning to believe that our screwed up patent system is the primary reason small businesses are failing to get started and why we're struggling so much to get out of the recession.
You are wrong in every conceivable way (Score:3, Insightful)
Your logic sucks. Mostly you repeat your premise. You are also as factually wrong as it is possible to be.
Physics, chemistry, and engineering can be modeled using math. The map is not the territory, however: we cannot make mathematically provable statements about reality using these models. For a more detailed view on determinism in quantum mechanics, and uncertainty principle, see elsewhere.
Computer languages are an extension of lambda calculus. Lisp syntax is extremely similar to lambda calculus. Algorithms are straight math. So is binary arithmetic -- which, buried under layers of abstraction, is all your computer really does. It's a pain in the ass, but computer programs can be mathematically proved to be correct (this is not quite equivalent to being bug-free).
What could an algorithm be if not mathematics?
Slashdot may repeat this concept because it is as fundamental to computing as evolution is to biology. In a few simple words you have revealed oceans of profound ignorance. You can either choose to accept reality and grow in knowledge, or deny it and grow in bitterness. But, fyi, this one is sillier than most attempts to tilt at windmills.
Re:Well, yes, but it is not going to be easy (Score:4, Insightful)
Move your company to Europe, do not trade with the USA, instead only trade with the mysterious entity know as the "rest of the world" which has a very large, diverse and robust economy and slightly less powerful corporations, laugh all the way to the bank ...