Software Patent
Introduction
Originally, patent can only be granted to “any new, useful and nonobvious process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new useful improvement thereof”. However, computer software is frequently related to processes that occur in the real world, making it hard to determine whether it is purely mathematical expressions or not.
The problem of patent is that it prevents the copying of idea. Say you saw a great algorithm in a journal, and implement it in your software. If that idea is patented, this can lead to lawsuit!
Evidence from economic studies also shows that software patents have lead to a decrease in R&D spending. Big names like Oracle, Adobe, etc also claimed that software patent is more harmful than useful.
See also
BurnAllGIFs, one of the examples of software patent that endangers software developement.
Links