[off topic] Patent abuse: not just software

Bob Wyman wrote:
"Frankly, all these hundreds of patents whose only *new* feature is that they
use XML or HTML or XHTML or whatever to do things, should be considered junk.
Just as you can't patent the mere substitution of plastic for wood in some
application, you shouldn't be able to patent the mere use of XML or HTML in some
well-known application."

There have been discussions here from time to time about how patents are being
abused. Bob Wyman expressed concerns (above) about junk patents.

"The Corporation" is a documentary that raises a serious concern -- patenting
life forms and the race to patent gene sequences.

Trailer (1:53)
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/the_corporation.html


======== Ken North ===========
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