Difference between revisions of "Freedom of expression"
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As described in the amicus brief by the American Civil Liberties Union,[http://www.aclu.org/pdfs/freespeech/in_re_bilski_aclu_amicus.pdf] because "inducement to infringement" is a crime in the [[USA]], sharing technical information about a possibly-patented idea could lead to an infringement suit. | As described in the amicus brief by the American Civil Liberties Union,[http://www.aclu.org/pdfs/freespeech/in_re_bilski_aclu_amicus.pdf] because "inducement to infringement" is a crime in the [[USA]], sharing technical information about a possibly-patented idea could lead to an infringement suit. | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 04:59, 7 August 2009
Software patents can interfere with people's freedom of expression in various ways.
Contents
Communication technology
Most modern communication technology is based on software. If only MyCompany can use a certain communication technology, then anyone who can't afford the software of MyCompany, or anyone who objects to using the software of MyCompany is excluded from certain types of communication.
For example: How many patents are violated by swpats.org?
Discussing technology
If something is patented, then you might not be able to publish a sensible discussion about it (See for example Andrew Tridgell's VFAT patch FAQ on LKML, the Linux Kernel Mailing List).
Sharing source code is an important part of understanding a program. Patents cripple education by not allowing people to learn about software.
Inducement worries
As described in the amicus brief by the American Civil Liberties Union,[1] because "inducement to infringement" is a crime in the USA, sharing technical information about a possibly-patented idea could lead to an infringement suit.
Related pages on ESP Wiki
External links
- Freedom of Speech in Software, a 1991 essay by Phil Salin
- Software and Software Patents, an essay that partly makes the freedom of speech argument
