bzs@pinocchio.encore.com (Barry Shein) (01/29/89)
This was forwarded to me by Brian Kahin and it looks worthwhile for those of you able to attend. -Barry Shein, ||Encore|| --------------------fold and cut here-------------------- MIT Communications Forum 3/23/89 Software Patents: A Horrible Mistake? 2:00 - 4:00 Legal Background and Industry Trends 4:00 - 6:00 Impact and Policy Issues Bartos Theater for the Moving Image The Wiesner Building (Bldg. E-15, Lower Level) 20 Ames St. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts Daniel S. Bricklin, President, Software Garden, Inc. Lindsey Kiang, Senior Counsel, Digital Equipment Corporation Robert Merges, Professor of Law, Boston University Stephen D. Kahn, Weil, Gotshal & Manges Pamela Samuelson, Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh R. Duff Thompson, General Counsel, WordPerfect Corporation Patent protection is increasingly sought for new computer algorithms, metaphors, software systems, and methods of user interaction. Patents can protect abstractions -- such as the basic operations of a spreadsheet -- that cannot be protected by copyright. Patent protection also functions as an absolute monopoly which, unlike copyright, does not allow for independent creation. Developers and investors proceed at the risk that their creation will infringe a patent application that is granted, pending, or yet unfiled. In the prolific microcomputer software industry, this growing patent activity raises fears of costly and inconclusive patent searches, extortionate demands, and patent litigation -- "the sport of kings." The first session will review the evolution of the law (including the relationship to "look and feel" issues in copyright), the growth and current scope of patent activity, and the reaction within the software industry. The second session will consider the long-term impact of software patents on creativity and investment, lessons from other industries, and the policy implications of protecting ideas and abstractions through patents. For further information call 617-253-3144.
jbn@glacier.STANFORD.EDU (John B. Nagle) (01/29/89)
The conventional wisdom is that software patents are either impossible
to get or useless. The conventional wisdom is wrong. I hold U.S. Patent
#4,740,904, and it has been very valuable to me.
It's a shame that the talk is on the other coast.
John Nagle