patent attorney from San Francisco explains that software must be patentable because it is no different from hardware, because of TRIPS and because patents allow small software companies access venture capital more easily, and because Europe needs access to more venture capital. The opensource won't be harmed, because the corporate world is not interested in harming it. Assertions about bad macro-economic efficiency of patents are academic and speculative.

author: Erwin Basinsky Date of Submission: 2000 files: basinsky.pdf and local copy