On Tue, 2004-10-19 at 00:46 +0200, Alexander Terekhov wrote:
"Paul Hovnanian P.E." wrote:
[...]
Unlike hardware, there are numerous ways to implement the same function
(task) in software. Given a task description ...
You can't patent a task. You can patent a novel, useful, and non-
obvious method to achieve it. In the EU, invention must have a
technical effect (positively affect the ability of a "device" as
a whole to carry out a technical function) to be patentable under
the current EPO {case}law (and the upcoming EU patent directive).
Readers beware:
1) Current EPO {case}law is in favour of software patents.
2) European Parliament proposal forbids pure software patents
3) European Comission/European Council's proposals introduce
software patents without any limits in Europe.
Rui