Let’s Limit the Effect of Software Patents, Since We Can’t Eliminate Them (Wired) [LWN.net]

Let’s Limit the Effect of Software Patents, Since We Can’t Eliminate Them (Wired)

Posted Nov 11, 2012 23:02 UTC (Sun) by jackb (subscriber, #41909)
In reply to: Let’s Limit the Effect of Software Patents, Since We Can’t Eliminate Them (Wired) by SecretEuroPatentAgentMan
Parent article: Let’s Limit the Effect of Software Patents, Since We Can’t Eliminate Them (Wired)

So tell me, how many software developers have been convicted of patent infringement in this war?

This question betrays a misunderstanding of the fundamental principle of economics.

The damage caused by software patents is not developers convicted in courts, it's products that aren't released, innovation that is prevented from happening, and technology that is isn't developed.

You can't see the damage directly because it consists of the enormous absence of what would otherwise exist.

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Let’s Limit the Effect of Software Patents, Since We Can’t Eliminate Them (Wired)

Posted Nov 15, 2012 22:34 UTC (Thu) by SecretEuroPatentAgentMan (guest, #66656) [Link]

> This question betrays a misunderstanding of the fundamental principle of economics.

Really. This just sounds like an overly complicated way of saying you do not know. Of course, were you to really know the number of convicted software developers I would still appreciate this information.

> You can't see the damage directly because it consists of the enormous absence of what would otherwise exist.

Having done programming since the 70's I have not to date noticed this enormous absence myself. Of course the experiences from my own work and all of my colleagues I knew back then remain limited yet so far this enormous absence was never a topic. I am therefore intrigued by your statement here and again would appreciate more information. Your last line suggests at least there is a chance of indirectly seeing the enormous absence.

Now, since emotions do not always travel well across the net I would like to clarify that I am not being smug or poking fun with snide remarks, the questions are sincere and the issues you bring up are interesting to me.