described on this EFF page.
This is a good overview of the reasons why people should question software patents in general. And it sets out a clear strategy to deal with the problem in America, where current patent law seems to allow for patenting 1-click and using a credit card over the Internet.
That strategy has two steps. The first is to identify the worst offenders. Then the EFF plans to challenge the validity of those worst offender patents by starting re-examination processes.
The first step needs a measure to compare the damage done by two software patents to see which of them is worse.
Two aspects come to mind. One is how many people's freedom would be reduced to what extent if the patent in question is enforced. The second is whether the patent holder actually tries to do so.
To win the crown of most damaging software patent, the ideal candidate would cover a widely used standard and be owned by an aggressive patent litigation company with no own products that can't be held in check by defensive patents.
The EFF patent busting contest page says:
We're especially interested in patents that target tools of free expression, such as streaming media, blogging tools, and voice over IP (VoIP) technology. Most importantly, the patent-holder must be aggressively enforcing its patent and suing (or threatening to sue) alleged infringers. We're particularly interested in cases where the patent-holder is trying to force small businesses, individuals, nonprofits, and consumers to pay licensing fees. Deadline to enter is June 23.
Found at Slashdot.
Posted by Karl-Friedrich Lenz at June 13, 2004 10:44 AM | TrackBack