"Copying ideas is how progress is made. It’s copying implementations that is wrong (and illegal)."
Distinction between ideas and implementations in software? Impossible. In my opinion it is one of the reasons why software patents will always be broken.
Tim Bray cites a pretty good example; compare and contrast one-click shopping with PGP.
One is a broad concept that needs no further explanation in order to be implemented by a seasoned developer — the other is a genius implementation that isn't anywhere near self-explanatory.
Not saying software patents are sometimes good, just saying that there can be a difference between ideas and implementations in software.
Comments
"Copying ideas is how progress is made. It’s copying implementations that is wrong (and illegal)."
Distinction between ideas and implementations in software? Impossible. In my opinion it is one of the reasons why software patents will always be broken.
Tim Bray cites a pretty good example; compare and contrast one-click shopping with PGP.
One is a broad concept that needs no further explanation in order to be implemented by a seasoned developer — the other is a genius implementation that isn't anywhere near self-explanatory.
Not saying software patents are sometimes good, just saying that there can be a difference between ideas and implementations in software.