This is for their Object Spaces architecture, but basically, they not only invented OR Mapping but now own it it seems? Anybody else concerned about this?

http://www.freshpatents.com/Mapping-architecture-for-arbitrary-data-models-dt20050303ptan20050050068.php

I don't know/understand what could be the effect of this patent... Obviously, it shouldn't affect current ORMapping tools. No ?

Did anyone scroll to the bottom and notice the referenced patents? These corporations are silently deepening their monopolies exponentially. Odd that their own technologies *enable* the violation of the patents they hold. ;)

Software patents MUST be stopped! If anyone knows of an existing legal action group or organization we can join or contribute to, please post it. Or e-mail me. I will contribute time and money to ensure my way of life, won't you? We must organize and apply pressure to the legislature to ban software patents.

What can you say about this other than this patent is completely asinine?

I keep bouncing back and forth on patents. I look at patents in the manufacturing world and believe they are valid so why shouldn

Perhaps banning software patents is a step too far, but not by much. The patent office folk appear to not be technical enough to know what ideas are too general to be patented.

I know almost nothing about patents, but I have the impression that patents used to be about specific implementations of an idea. There can be more than one kind of DVD player or male enhancement drug, as long as one design and implementation doesn't infringe upon the other.

The current crop of granted software patents makes me want to write up a patent application on punctuation. If I write it the right way it seems like it would be approved. *That* is what must not happen. I couldn't afford to file all the patent infringement suits that would follow, but mega-corporations like Microsoft can.

Having a new idea is not enough. Only the exact implementation of that idea should be patentable.

I dont know about any organizations for US, but there is an EU organization that is actively trying to stop the changes the EU patent organization wants to do (which would create the same insane situation as in US).

http://www.nosoftwarepatents.com/

Theres a lot of information about the problems with software patents there. Including a much better explanation of the problems with software patents than I could type up, so go check it out.



We do, its called copyright. Again though, check the link.



Yeah, normally patents arent just to protect your investment, but also to describe exactly how to produce the effect. So a too generic patent wouldnt be allowed because you cannot follow the steps to get a "device that reduces the impact of a person's foot as it hits the ground". I think they even need some form of a prototype as a proof of concept. Thats why they work, as long as someone does a proper checkup of the patent they will be able to tell if its enough to produce an actual object that works, if it doesnt its an invalid patent.

I have no idea as to how they can get around that on software patents, somehow they do, its mostly semantics though I think. Theres also a problem with *who* gets money when a faulty patent gets filed (check the link for more about that - Im fairly certain the problem is identical in US).

Does it work all the time for you?:?