Red Hat answers us all on patents

[ Thanks to GreenITguru for this link. ]

"In sum, legal changes in the U.S. that have allowed software patents have not served the purpose of promoting innovation. Experience has shown that such patents are not only unnecessary but actually detrimental.

"They discourage innovation, by imposing costs and risks on software development that would not otherwise exist. As discussed below, however, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently appeared to recognize that the existing system must be substantially modified, and it has provided an approach for repairing the system.

"The last point being a reference to In re Bilski, which many believe could substantially change the US position on software patents."

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