Getting rid of software patents = All software becomes free?

[mike3]

Hi.

I saw this:

http://www.linux-gamers.net/modules/smartsection/makepdf.php?itemid=79

Note:

"It's not as if the various manufacturing companies don't have very
good reasons for keeping the code
and specifications closed. They all infringe on each other's patents,
however none of this can be
proved without the various plans. Releasing anything is a big risk,
not necessarily a certain one,
since they could countersue for whatever the opponent infringes, but a
possible problem
nevertheless."

So if there were no software patents, there'd be no more to sue over,
and hence the "very good reasons" for (eternally!) hiding the source
code would evaporate like mist in the heat of the day. Poof, like
magic, they'd be gone! And suddenly there would be no problem with
releasing software as Free and we'd finally have FREEDOM on the PC!!!!

Ain't it great? Get rid of software patenting!

But alas the companies don't want that, they *want* patents on their
software...