Open Source
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Software patent does not have a universally accepted definition. [ 1 ] One definition suggested by the Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure is that a software patent is a " patent on any performance of a computer realised by means of a computer program". [ 2 ] [ a 1 ] The reason why lawyers are reluctant to define "software patents" is that the qualification of a patent application as a request for a "software patent" by itself has no legal effect under current law. For Europe, the only thing that matters is whether there is a "computer program as such", which is not considered an invention under Art. 52 EPC, whatever these words really mean. U.S. patent law consistently excludes "abstract ideas", and further case law has established that software is not excluded in the use because it is abstract but as far as it is abstract, a rule that is admittedly still not very clear. There is intense debate over the extent to which software patents should be granted, if at all.
Software patent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Why We Need To Abolish Software Patents
During my tech days, I co-authored four software patents . Each cost my startup about $15,000—which seemed like a fortune in those days. I didn’t really expect these to give me any advantage; after all if my competitors had half a brain, they would simply learn all they could from my patent filing and do things better. But I needed to raise financing, and VCs wouldn’t give me the time of day unless I could tell a convincing story about how we, alone, owned the intellectual property for our secret sauce.
The Software Patent Institute (SPI) is a nonprofit corporation formed to provide prior art related to software technology with the intention of improving the patent process. We strive to aggregate hard-to-access software data which is not readily available online or in electronic form elsewhere. Our source documents include computer manuals, older textbooks, journal articles, conference proceedings, computer science theses, and other such materials which may contain valuable prior art.
Software Patent Institute - SPI.org
Software Patent Index (BitLaw)
Executive summary: BitLaw and the rest of the Interent contains a great deal of information on the patenting of computer software. This topical index provides one-stop shopping for learning about software patents.
Are Software Patents Evil?
A few weeks ago I found to my surprise that I'd been granted four patents . This was all the more surprising because I'd only applied for three. The patents aren't mine, of course.
Richard Stallman, transcribed from a talk : So let’s see what happens if [an inventor] tries to use a patent to stop them. He says “Oh No, IBM. You cannot compete with me. I’ve got this patent.
Software patents
WTFPL - Do What The Fuck You Want To Public License
There is a long ongoing battle between GPL zealots and BSD fanatics, about which license type is the most free of the two. In fact, both license types have unacceptable obnoxious clauses (such as reproducing a huge disclaimer that is written in all caps) that severely restrain our freedoms. The WTFPL can solve this problem.Free Software Foundation — what we do The FSF advocates for free software ideals as outlined in the Free Software Definition , works for adoption of free software and free media formats, and organizes activist campaigns against threats to user freedom like Windows 7 , Apple's iPhone and OS X , DRM on music, ebooks and movies , and software patents . We promote completely free software distributions of GNU/Linux , and advocate that users of the GNU/Linux operating system switch to a distribution which respects their freedom .
Welcome — Free Software Foundation — working together for free software
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a non-profit corporation with global scope formed to educate about and advocate for the benefits of open source and to build bridges among different constituencies in the open source community. Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. The promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost, and an end to predatory vendor lock-in.
Mission | Open Source Initiative
The Cathedral and the Bazaar
This directory gives you access to almost all of the contents of my evolving book, The Cathedral and the Bazaar . Enjoy — but be aware that I have sold O'Reilly the exclusive commercial printing rights. The papers composing this book (like their topic) are still evolving as I get more feedback. I made extensive revisions and additions for the first edition of the book The Cathedral and the Bazaar , and expect to continue adding and revising in future editions. Even if you've heard me do the stand-up version, you may want to reread it. These papers are not `finished', and may never be.
The CC Affiliate Network consists of 100+ affiliates working working in over 70 jurisdictions to support and promote CC activities around the world. The teams engage in public outreach, community building, translation, research, publicity, and in general, promoting sharing and our mission.
Creative Commons
Easy to use, affordable, and over 300% faster, Open Source Java Enterprise Edition of popular Apache Tomcat application server ideally suited for Cloud environments The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), the all-volunteer developers, stewards, and incubators of nearly 150 Open Source projects and initiatives, today announced Apache TomEE v1.0. Apache TomEE... High-performance, fault-tolerant Open Source "Big Data" powerhouse scales petabytes of data at Adobe, Cisco, IBM, Morningstar, Netflix, PBS, Rackspace, Twitter, US Government, and more. Forest Hill, MD –24 April 2012– The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), the all-volunteer developers, stewards, and incubators of nearly 150 Open Source projects and initiatives, today... The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) welcomes Citrix to the roster of sponsors at the Platinum level.
The stuff here is looking more at open source relative to innovation than how to do open source licensing or feel good about it or not. by gerald.barnett Apr 14