If you're thinking of patenting your software, think about how useful it would be if you had to license absolutely everything you take for granted - algorithms,

If you're thinking of patenting your software, think about how useful it would be if you had to license absolutely everything you take for granted - algorithms, data structures, compiler optimisations, I/O mechanisms. Patents were intended to encourage and reward creativity. When they're being used to stifle it, it's time to abolish them.