Warp wrote:
>   In the European patenting system the principle is that ideas and methods
> cannot be patented, only real devices. I think it was like that in the US
> as well, a century ago, but it gradually changed.

Not particularly. The patents cover computers doing certain things. 
"Software patent" isn't really a good name for it as such, since all the 
"software patents" are actually patenting computers doing particular 
processes. Just like manufacturing patents cover lathes doing particular 
processes, and drug patents cover chemists doing particular processes.

>   (Of course companies have their ways to get around the European patenting
> system by playing with words, but at least the principle is there. A granted
> software patent is much less likely to hold up in court in Europe than it is
> in the US.)

Yeah. From my experience, I'd say just reading the patent narrowly, instead 
of letting people argue "well, obviously anything you could do by speaking 
on a telephone you could also do with a computer bouncing a laser off the 
space shuttle."

-- 
   Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
   Insanity is a small city on the western
   border of the State of Mind.

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