Re: Why are software patents wrong?

[Alexander Terekhov]

"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).

regards,
alexander.