Warp wrote:
> Darren New <dne### [at] sanrrcom> wrote:
>> Sufficiently rich companies file their patents in all the countries of 
>> interest.
> 
>   Except that in Europe software patents are invalid and unenforceable.

True. Used to be the case here too. It didn't stop K&R from patenting 
the setuid bit by describing it as a mechanical device, not unlike a 
steam-punk lock. And of course, "any implementation of this with the 
same effect and design is also covered."  Never underestimate the slime 
that lawyers will wade thru to get around laws they don't like.

>   And in most countries you can only patent real inventions which have
> working prototypes and are economically/industrially feasible. For example
> this patent would never go through in Europe:

Yeah. Again, same used to be true here a few decades ago. The patent 
laws really only fell apart here maybe 50 years ago or so.

-- 
Darren New / San Diego, CA, USA (PST)
  Helpful housekeeping hints:
   Check your feather pillows for holes
    before putting them in the washing machine.

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